Road to Le Mans continues as WEC 2025 starts in Qatar
The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship blasts into action at the Qatar 1812 season opener with perhaps the closest-ever endurance racing season set to commence at Lusail on Friday.
Not only are six-time WEC Manufacturers Champions Gazoo Toyota ready to take on Drivers’ Champions Porsche and double Le Mans winners Ferrari for 2025 title glory, but there are a gang of others ready to spoil the party too. Take note that the racing is on Friday when the 1812 km race runes through the day and into night in honour of Qatar’s national day on the 5.4km, 16-turn Lusail track.
Ferrari Versus Porsche Verus Gazoo in Hypercar
Porsche Penske drivers champions Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor are back with Matt Campbell in the lead number 6 Porsche 963. But if last week’s prologue was anything to go by, it’s anyone’s bet who will come out on top. Ferrari’s trio of 499P Hypercars and Toyota’s two GR010 Hybrid Hypercars are always a far tougher proposition come raceday.
There’s lots of novelty too. Aston Martin’s brand new wailing V12-engined Valkyries make their debut. Cadillac’s factory effort merges with Privateer Champions Hertz Team JOTA. Add Peugeot seeking redemption with its 9X8, series sophomores Alpine and BMW, and it’s a recipe for thrills among the 18-car Hypercar field.
The 2025 LM GT3 Chase is Just as Tough
The World Champion LM GT3 Porsche 911s are back in the supercar race, but they too have their hands full. MotoGP king Valentino Rossi is back in the BMW M4 squad, while the army of Ferrari 296s. Aston Martin Vantages and McLaren 720S will have the added competition of Mercedes-AMG GT3s this year. And then there’s the good old Corvette versus Mustang spat and throw a few Lexus RC Fs in for effect.
With qualifying Thursday and the race starting midday European time or 6am Eastern Friday. It all builds up to the big one, the Le Mans 24 Hour in the middle of June. Follow the action and access live streaming via the FIA WEC App.
