Ferrari achieved a dominant 1-2-3 finish at the opening 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship race in Qatar. This stunning result saw the Italian marque capitalize on the struggles of its main rivals, BMW and Cadillac, during the intense 10-hour race at Lusail International Circuit.
The #50 Ferrari, driven by the 2024 Le Mans-winning trio of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen, secured victory after starting third. Their strategic tyre management, using a combination of hard and medium Michelin tyres, proved crucial.
Despite an early spin caused by contact with a BMW, they consistently displayed impressive pace. Molina took the lead with just over four hours remaining, overtaking the #83 AF Corse Ferrari.
However, a slower pit stop in the ninth hour dropped them to second. Fuoco patiently waited before reclaiming the lead during the final pit stops, utilizing fresher tyres and a rapid stop to gain a seven-second advantage. He managed a heavily worn front-left tire to secure a nail-biting win by just 2.3 seconds.
The #83 AF Corse Ferrari, driven by Yifei Ye, Phil Hanson, and Robert Kubica, achieved a strong second-place finish, showcasing their competitiveness. Kubica expertly managed worn tyres, employing two fuel-only stops in the final stages.
Ferrari’s #51 car, despite starting on pole, suffered two drive-through penalties for infringements, ultimately finishing third after a hard-fought battle with Kubica.
However, the race wasn’t solely defined by Ferrari’s triumph. The collision between the #38 and #12 Cadillacs proved a turning point, dramatically altering the race’s trajectory.
As the safety car peeled in on Lap 74, race leader Jenson Button in the #38 braked heavily into Turn 15. Alex Lynn in the following #12 Cadillac, perhaps overzealous in his attempt to maintain position, rear-ended the #38. The impact caused significant damage to both cars, requiring immediate pit stops for extensive repairs.
Stewards deemed Lynn responsible, issuing a drive-through penalty to the #12, while Lynn felt Button had brake-tested him.
For the #38 of Button, Bourdais and Kiwi Earl Bamber, the damage extended beyond the initial impact; subsequent throttle issues further hampered their race, ultimately relegating them to a disappointing 16th place finish.
Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi Brendon Hartley, alongside Buemi and Hirakawa in the #8 Toyota, showcased their resilience, overcoming a less-than-ideal qualifying performance, starting down in 17th, to secure a commendable fifth-place finish. Their consistent pace and strategic decisions underscored Toyota Gazoo Racing’s enduring competitiveness.
Porsche Penske Motorsport endured a disappointing Qatar return, a stark contrast to their previous year’s victory. Both #5 and #6 cars lacked pace, suffering slow punctures and requiring repairs, finishing 10th and 11th respectively.
Alpine and Peugeot also underperformed, with both French manufacturers finishing outside the points. Peugeot’s result was particularly disappointing compared to their strong showing in the previous year’s race.
Aston Martin’s WEC debut proved challenging; the #009 car finished significantly behind the leaders after a door failure and vibration issues, while its sister car retired due to a transmission problem.
The Series now has a seven week break before returning for Round 2, the 6 Hours of Imola over April 18-20.
Header Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing
