The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Prologue kicked off at the Lusail International Circuit, Qatar, featuring four test sessions spread over two days. This year marks the second consecutive time the Lusail circuit, located just north of Doha, serves as the venue for the WEC season opener. The Ferrari – AF Corse team returned to prominence with their number 50 and 51 499P cars, driven by the talented line-ups of Fuoco, Molina, Nielsen, and Pier Guidi, Calado, and Giovinazzi.
The Lusail International Circuit, inaugurated back in 2004, has developed from its motorbike racing roots to become home to numerous high-profile motorsport events, including the WEC 1812 km of Qatar. This year’s Prologue consisted of two initial sessions on February 21st, separated by night races, with the subsequent sessions scheduled for February 22nd.
The layout of the Lusail track is distinctive and challenging, measuring 5.419 kilometers with 16 turns. Danish driver Nicklas Nielsen, who celebrated victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024, offered insights on its demanding nature. “The Lusail track is very impressive,” Nielsen noted. “To set a good lap time, you need to be very smooth. It features high grip and is exceptionally flat and without elevation changes. Finding the best reference points for braking is integral.”
From Nielsen's perspective, the track's second and third sectors are particularly fascinating, boasting alternating medium and medium-high-speed bends. He emphasized the importance of tyre management and adherence to track limits, especially noticeable during the third sector. “Track limits must be carefully observed, as they play a significant role in Qatar,” he stated.
During the Prologue's second testing session, Cadillac’s Alex Lynn led the way, securing a 1-2 finish for the American manufacturer. His team accomplished this with impressive times: Lynn clocked 1:39.575 in the #12 JOTA Cadillac V-Series.R, with Sebastien Bourdais close behind. The notable performances highlighted not just the capabilities of Cadillac but also the fierce competition among teams as they replace and re-strategize for the upcoming year’s championship.
Ferrari’s Antonio Fuoco followed closely, finishing third with his Ferrari 499P, just 0.013 seconds behind Bourdais. Other notable mentions were Porsche’s Julien Andlauer, placing fourth with the #5 Porsche 963, and Robert Kubica bringing his AF Corse Ferrari satellite team to fifth.
Unlike the first session, which was marred by four red flags, the second session ran smoothly without interruptions, providing teams ample time to focus on performance without the stress of delays. Of considerable note was the LMGT3 category, where José María López took the fastest time for his #87 ASP Lexus RC F GT3, securing back-to-back top positions.
The Prologue serves as the first significant opportunity for teams to test their strategies and car adjustments before the upcoming long race following. The preparation period consists of these testing sessions leading up to the initial competitive hour, where nuances of the circuit and weather conditions will heavily influence outcomes.
Looking forward, the official race weekend begins with practice sessions on February 26, followed by Qualifying on February 27. The 1812 km of Qatar race will start on February 28 at 2 p.m. with ten hours of racing under floodlights, making it one of the more unique races on the WEC calendar.
With Ferrari and Cadillac already showing their strengths this Prologue, the competition promises to be fierce as teams gear up for the official start of the season. Each session not only gives insight but sets the stage for strategy, technology deployment, and driver management. The thrilling atmosphere indicative of long races under night skies adds to the anticipation.
Overall, the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship has started with fervor, signalling not just the beginning of the racing calendar but also the promise of thrilling storylines and rivalries as teams strive for supremacy on the world stage.