In a ground-breaking turn of events, Ferrari clinched a resounding victory at the 2025 Qatar 1812KM, marking the opening of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 13th season. The Italian auto giant, represented by its No. 50 factory squad, Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen, and Miguel Molina, propelled the brand to a triumphant 1-2-3 finish. This achievement represents Ferrari’s first win outside of the famed Le Mans 24 Hours and its first overall 1-2-3 finish in a major sportscar race since the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours.
Prior to the contest, the Italian drivers had expressed their determination to start winning the shorter WEC races consistently and vie for the World Championship title. Their ambition manifested in a pole position, fastest lap, and formation finish in the first round.
Insiders within the WEC’s Gulf region circuit were abuzz with speculations about the Ferrari 499Ps’ superior performance in terms of single lap and long-run pace. These were later confirmed when the race kicked off on Friday afternoon.
Batti Pregliasco, the Ferrari AF Corse team manager, reflected on the lessons learned from past mistakes. “Last year our performance was subpar, which prompted us to conduct tests and understand many aspects including tire management – a key aspect of the race,” Pregliasco explained.
The Ferrari team also demonstrated excellent race management until the final moments. Maintaining the concentration of top-tier drivers racing against teammates for podium positions proved challenging, but the strategies implemented by the team ensured a smooth finish. “The regulations now dictate that Manufacturer’s points are scored with two cars. Hence, we need consistent performance from both vehicles in every race,” Pregliasco further elaborated.
The superiority of Ferrari was made more evident by the difficulties faced by other competitors. Brands like Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA and BMW M Team WRT, despite showing promising pace, were unable to make a significant impact due to a series of incidents and penalties.
Meanwhile, Porsche Penske Motorsport, the reigning manufacturers’ champion, failed to recreate their impressive performance from the previous year. Toyota, another heavy hitter in the class, also struggled at the Lusail circuit for the second consecutive year.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Ferrari’s dominance will continue at its home event in Imola next month. While the answer to this remains uncertain, what is clear is that the 499Ps’ performance at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari last year was promising before a miscalculated tyre strategy let Toyota snatch the win.
Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations, which teams are not permitted to discuss, will undoubtedly play a role in the upcoming event. This year, the FIA has made key changes in its methodology, taking into account more lap time data and tyre wear. This, coupled with increased transparency between rule makers and manufacturers, aims to facilitate closer racing and control costs.
When asked about Ferrari’s chances in the next round, Pregliasco responded, “We have learned a lot about strategy from last year’s race in Imola. I believe our car is well-suited for such a track, but we will have to wait and see.” As the world of racing holds its breath, only time will tell if Ferrari’s dominance will prevail.