Ferrari made history at the Qatar 1812km, the opening round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, as the team achieved a stunning one-two-three finish at the Lusail International Circuit. This significant triumph saw the #50 Ferrari 499P, driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen, clinch victory, followed closely by the privately-run #83 entry of Yifei Ye, Robert Kubica, and Phil Hanson, and the factory #51 crew of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi.
The atmosphere was electric as Ferrari showcased its dominance throughout the 10-hour race. Starting from third on the grid, Fuoco and his teammates executed a flawless strategy, which included clever tire choices as the temperature dropped under the floodlights. “We came here with really good preparation and we showed the work in the winter was worth it,” Fuoco remarked post-race. "To secure P1, P2 and P3 for the team sets us up for the rest of the season.”
While initially positioned well, the #51 Ferrari faced challenges, including two drive-through penalties and minor mishaps which placed it at the lower end of the top ten for parts of the race. Despite these hurdles, Pier Guidi launched a fierce battle toward the end, successfully bringing the #51 back to secure third place, demonstrating Ferrari's resilience even amid setbacks.
The #50 Ferrari took control of the race with about four hours remaining when Molina skillfully overtook Phil Hanson’s #83 for the lead. A brief dip to second place occurred during the ninth hour due to pit stop dynamics, but Fuoco managed to reclaim the lead with fresher tires and superior speed before crossing the finish line with only 2.3 seconds to spare.
Notably, this race marked the best possible start to the Ferrari 499P's third season competing at the highest level of endurance racing. The day was not without incident, as the competition from BMW and Cadillac faltered due to various challenges on track. BMW's #15 M Hybrid V8, which had initially shown promise, finished fourth after encountering electrical issues and collisions, severely impacting their chances of podium success.
Meanwhile, Toyota Gazoo Racing had its own struggles, with both GR010 HYBRIDs finishing significantly lower than anticipated, claiming fifth and sixth positions. The struggles of the reigning Manufacturers' Champions contrasted sharply with Ferrari's triumphant return to form, highlighting the competitive nature of this year's championship.
Adding to the thrill of the event, the LMGT3 category also witnessed dramatic moments. TF Sport's #33 Corvette, driven by Daniel Juncadella, delivered bold performances under pressure, holding off intense challenges from the McLaren of Grégoire Saucy right until the end. Juncadella expressed his astonishment at the victory, having started the race well down the grid. “It was just a very good race all around, and I’m very happy to win my first WEC race,” he said.
Beyond Ferrari’s highlights, the race included several noteworthy incidents. Jenson Button's abrupt collision with Alex Lynn during one of the safety car restarts resulted in both drivers pit stops for repairs, illustrating the unpredictable nature of endurance racing. Despite this, Button’s team managed to finish, albeit low on the order after the chaos unfolded.
Alpine's performance was similarly tumultuous, as the team looked strong early on but could not maintain their initial pace, finishing outside the points. The complexity of these challenges makes endurance racing not only unpredictable but also showcases the driver and team’s resilience.
Overall, the Qatar 1812km was not just about Ferrari’s unprecedented success; it symbolized the thrilling highs and lows of motorsport. The event featured ceremonial elements, including the national anthem performed by the choir from Qatar Music Academy, which added to the cultural richness of the competition, making it memorable for fans and drivers alike.
Abdulaziz Ali al-Mohannadi, CEO of Lusail International Circuit, expressed pride at hosting the event, remarking, “It brings us great delight to successfully host the Qatar 1812 KM – FIA World Endurance Championship 2025.” He emphasized the importance of showcasing the sport and developing future talent.
Looking forward, Ferrari’s success sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating season filled with fierce racing competition, as teams prepare for the next race - the 6 Hours of Imola, set to take place from April 18 to 20, 2025. All eyes will undoubtedly be on Ferrari to see if they can maintain their momentum and continue their impressive start to the season.