The FIA World Endurance Championship 2025's 6 Hours of Imola qualifying sessions delivered an electrifying spectacle at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on April 19, 2025. Ferrari showcased its dominance in the HYPERCAR class, with Antonio Giovinazzi securing pole position in the Ferrari 499P #51, clocking a blistering time of 1'28"920. Following closely behind was Robert Kubica in the Ferrari 499P #83, who claimed second place, finishing 0.758 seconds adrift of Giovinazzi.
This marks a significant moment for Ferrari, as they achieved a 1-2 finish in qualifying, replicating their success from the previous year at Imola. The excitement was palpable among the fans, especially with Giovinazzi expressing his joy, stating, "It's always a special emotion to drive a Ferrari knowing so many fans are cheering for us. Winning the second Hyperpole in a row here at Imola makes this day even more precious." His teammate, Robert Kubica, also shared his satisfaction, highlighting the team's performance despite earlier mechanical issues.
However, not all was smooth sailing for Ferrari, as Antonio Fuoco faced disappointment. His best times were canceled due to track limits, leaving him to start from the back of the grid in eighteenth position. Fuoco expressed his regret, saying, "I have to apologize to the team and my teammates because we had the potential to do well and start with three Ferraris at the front. Due to an error, we now have to recover many positions." This setback places additional pressure on the team, but with their strong performance, they remain optimistic about the race.
In the HYPERCAR class, Dries Vanthoor in the BMW #15 secured third place, showing competitive pace at 0.965 seconds behind Giovinazzi. The Toyota entries, piloted by Buemi, Hirakawa, Hartley, Kobayashi, De Vries, and Conway, rounded out the top five, separated by mere milliseconds, indicating a tightly contested field.
Meanwhile, the LMGT3 class saw a historic achievement for Valentino Rossi, who clinched his first pole position in this category driving the BMW #46 for Team WRT. Rossi's time of 1'42"355 was three-tenths faster than Clemens Schmid in the Lexus-Akkodis ASP #87, who finished second. Rossi expressed his excitement, stating, "It’s a fantastic result, and I’m happy, especially because the first race was tough. BMW has done a great job, and starting at the front here in Imola, in front of our fans, is special." The Aston Martin #27, driven by Zach Robichon, Ian James, and Mattia Drudi, secured third place, while the Ferrari #21 from AF Corse, driven by Simon Mann, Francois Heriau, and Alessio Rovera, qualified fourth.
As the teams prepare for the race, which is set to start at 13:00 local time on April 20, 2025, the focus shifts to strategy and tire management. The weather forecast indicates potential rain, which could complicate race strategies, especially with the track's notorious traffic issues. Navigating through the LMGT3 group could cost drivers significant time, making it crucial for teams to plan their overtaking maneuvers carefully.
With Ferrari's strong showing in qualifying and Valentino Rossi's remarkable achievement, the 6 Hours of Imola promises to be an exciting race. Fans are eagerly anticipating how the strategies will unfold and whether the Ferrari teams can convert their qualifying success into a race victory. As the clock ticks down to race time, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, and both teams and fans alike are ready for what promises to be an unforgettable event.
Stay tuned as we bring you live updates and results from the 6 Hours of Imola, an event that not only highlights the thrilling world of endurance racing but also showcases the passion and dedication of teams and drivers striving for glory on the track.
