Antonio Giovinazzi clinched pole position for the Qatar 1812km, marking the start of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship. He positioned the #51 AF Corse Ferrari 499P at the top, while United Autosports McLarens celebrated a front-row sweep in the LMGT3 class.
In a thrilling finish, Giovinazzi, the former Formula 1 driver, clocked in a time of 1:38.359, edging out Dries Vanthoor’s #20 BMW M Hybrid V8. It was a close call for the Bavarian manufacturer, nearly grasping its first top-class WEC pole position. This achievement was Giovinazzi’s second pole in four rounds, having previously excelled at COTA in 2024. Ferrari AF Corse joined elite company by becoming the fourth team, alongside Audi, Toyota, and Porsche LMP1 Team, to achieve five overall poles. Impressively, this was the second instance of the 499P topping a season opener, following its performance at Sebring in 2023.
Antonio Fuoco drove the #50 AF Corse Ferrari to secure the third spot. Nestled next to the second Ferrari on the grid’s second row was the, Cadillac V-Series.R, managed by the Hertz Team JOTA squad. Alex Lynn set the quickest time in the #12 car, with his fellow driver Sebastien Bourdais placing the #30 car in fifth, signaling a promising beginning for this budding team-manufacturer collaboration.
Robin Frijns piloted the second BMW to sixth place, ensuring that both Ferraris and Cadillacs were accompanied by BMWs in the top ranks. The top ten was completed by the #7 Toyota Gazoo Hypercar, #83 AF Corse Ferrari, #35 Alpine, and #93 Peugeot TotalEnergies entry.
United Autosports’ McLarens pulled off a sensational front-row lockout in the LMGT3 category with the #95 McLaren LMGT3, driven by Sean Gelael, grabbing the season’s inaugural pole position with a perfect lap. He finished just 0.2 seconds ahead of the sister car, #59 United Autosports McLaren piloted by Sebastien Baud, marking Gelael’s first WEC pole. McLaren now claims the most poles in LMGT3 with three. United Autosports also made history as the first team to secure back-to-back LMGT3 poles, following their lockouts in Bahrain and Qatar.
Darren Leung and James Cottingham’s performances were pivotal in getting the McLarens to the Hyperpole session, a first under the new rules requiring Silver-ranked drivers to compete. The #78 Akkodis ASP Lexus, helmed by WEC newcomer Finn Gehrsitz, will start third on tomorrow’s grid. Beside the Lexus, on the second row, is the #54 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3, driven by Francesco Castellacci.
