Ferrari's 296 LMGT3 cars had their moment to shine as the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season kicked off with the 1812 km of Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit. Following the buzzing Prologue, where they achieved a one-two finish, expectations were high for the famed Italian marque as it entered the season opener.
Antonio Fuoco led the way for Ferrari during the final practice sessions, clocking the best lap of 1:39.484 early on. His stellar performance came amid light rain, which affected grip levels but did not warrant the use of wet-weather tires. Fuoco's impressive time was merely 0.081 seconds faster than teammate Antonio Giovinazzi, who finished second in the No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari 499P. Robert Kubica rounded out the Ferrari 1-2-3 as he piloted the third entry, showcasing the team's strong depth.
Outside the top five, the Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac V-Series.Rs made their presence felt, with Sebastien Bourdais and Alex Lynn placing their cars just behind the leading Ferraris. The session was not without incident; Ben Keaking ended up stranded in the gravel at Turn 2 with his Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, prompting a Full Course Yellow. Five teams received five-minute stop-and-hold penalties due to violations related to the yellow flag procedures.
The LMGT3 class, too, saw fierce competition, with Sean Gelael's No. 95 McLaren 720S GT3 leading the way, followed closely by Finn Gehrsitz's Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F GT3. Remarkably, both fast times were set later during the session, when rainfall had slightly increased the track's difficulty.
Looking to the race weekend, the schedule is packed with activities set to commence on February 26, 2025. Teams will engage in multiple 90-minute practice sessions, culminating with qualifying on February 27 at 5 p.m. local time. The main event—the race itself—will start on February 28 at 2 p.m., showcasing the endurance and skill of the competing teams under the Lusail floodlights.
The Lusail International Circuit, renowned for its association with two-wheel racing, has become increasingly prominent as host for high-profile car racing events since 2024, with the 1812 km of Qatar now recognized as the season opener for the FIA World Endurance Championship. The 1812 km contest is particularly notable for its timing, as it largely progresses after sunset, with cars gleaming beneath the floodlights.
Among the teams, the Vista AF Corse squad brings significant credentials. The number 54 car will see Thomas Flohr, Francesco Castellacci, and Davide Rigon taking the wheel, the latter having clinched victory at the 6 Hours of Fuji last season. Meanwhile, the second car, now number 21, will be piloted by François Heriau, Simon Mann, and Alessio Rovera, who celebrated success at the 8 Hours of Bahrain. With such accomplished driver line-ups, Ferrari is poised for good fortune as they venture forward.
“The Prologue ended with us at the top, and the team is confident going forward, especially after our wins last year,” stated Davide Rigon. The team's optimism is palpable as they seek to translate their exceptional practice performances to race results.
With anticipation building around the season opener, all eyes will be on the Ferrari 296 LMGT3 entries as they aim to establish dominance early on. Given their previous successes and strong showing at the Lusail International Circuit, the outlook for Ferrari seems promising as the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship kicks off.