The excitement is palpable as the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship gears up to kick off in Qatar from February 26th to 28th. This year promises a thrilling tug-of-war between some heavyweight names in the world of motorsport and the auto industry.
Having wrapped up the Prologue pre-season test, teams have their eyes set on what is shaping up to be an incredibly competitive and unpredictable season in the championship’s 13-year history.
The Lusail International Circuit, stretching 5.418 kilometers across 16 corners, is ready to host the world’s top endurance racers once again. Last year, this circuit saw Porsche dominate the Hypercar category, taking all podium spots, and they emerged victorious in the first-ever LMGT3 contest as well.
Reigning Hypercar world champion Kévin Estre had this to say about the track: “The Lusail Circuit is quite a unique experience. It’s extremely flat with great grip, so getting the tires to their perfect operating condition will be key.” Estre is all set to defend his title with Porsche Penske Motorsport, collaborating with Laurens Vanthoor and Matt Campbell for the more extended races.
The circuit challenges drivers with its high-speed layout, testing the limits of both cars and tires—from its broad, flat main straight to an intricate, technical middle section. Adding to this, the Qatar 1812 km race, named to celebrate the country’s national day, is a monster 10-hour event that will push racers from daylight into the dark, requiring them to adapt to rapidly changing track and air temperatures.
Porsche remains a strong contender following their performance in the Prologue, as do Ferrari’s trio of 499P Hypercars and the Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA alliance. Aston Martin has introduced its stunning new V12-engined Valkyries to the competition’s 18-car Hypercar field.
Toyota, the reigning Manufacturer’s Champion, returns with its tried and tested driver lineup and the GR010 Hybrid Hypercars. Meanwhile, Peugeot is looking for a comeback after a gut-wrenching finish last year, when Jean-Éric Vergne ran out of fuel just shy of securing second place.
Also in contention are Alpine and BMW, hoping to build on their momentum from the end of last season. Robin Frijns, representing BMW, topped the testing timesheets, with the leading three Hypercars smashing the existing lap records.
“It all feels quite positive,” mused Frijns. “Night driving during the Prologue was crucial, and now it’s about assembling everything to face the race.”
In the LMGT3 category, teams like TF Sport’s Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R, Akkodis ASP Team with their Lexus RC F LMGT3, and Vista AF Corse’s Ferrari 296 LMGT3 all impressed during testing. Team WRT’s BMW M4 LMGT3 also consistently performed well, especially with their star driver, nine-time world motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi, who has multiple Qatar wins under his belt.
All eyes will be on Iron Lynx’s Mercedes-AMG challengers, marking the German brand’s much-awaited debut before they return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June for the first time in over 25 years.
Festivities kick off with free practice on Wednesday, February 26th. Then, it’s all down to the wire with qualifying and the crucial Hyperpole starting at 17:00 local time (15:00 CET) on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, the green flag drops at 14:00 local time (12:00 CET) on Friday, February 28th.
