Ferrari and Cadillac share practice honours as Qatar 1812km roars into life at Lusail
Lusail International Circuit (LIC) roared to life on Wednesday as the Qatar 1812 KM - FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2025 season opener commenced with an action-packed day of practice sessions and motorsport excellence.
The previous evening, there was a spectacular showcase along Lusail Boulevard where all 13 manufacturers showcased their Hypercar and LMGT3 machinery to enthusiastic fans, setting the perfect stage for the new season.
The day began with a vibrant atmosphere as Formula 4 Middle East Championship and Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRME) test sessions complemented the main Qatar 1812 KM activities.
The F4 sessions featured three promising Qatari drivers representing QMMF Team, carrying national hopes as they continue their motorsport development journey on home soil.
Meanwhile, the FRME draws special attention as it conducts its final races of the season in Qatar, bringing the regional competition to an exciting conclusion.
During Qatar 1812 KM Practice 1, Ferrari AF Corse topped the timesheet with James Calado setting a blistering 1:42.123 in the #51 499P, demonstrating the Italian manufacturer’s strong start to the 2025 campaign.
Close behind was the #38 HERTZ Team JOTA Cadillac, with Sebastien Bourdais posting a competitive 1:42.355, while the #50 sister Ferrari 499P completed the top three, less than a tenth behind the Cadillac.
The session highlighted the competitive nature of the field, with the quickest ten cars in the top category all setting times within just one second of each other, promising close racing for the season ahead.
In the LMGT3 category, AKKODIS ASP’s #78 Lexus topped the times with Ben Barnicoat setting a 1:55.801, followed closely by the two TF Sport Corvettes within two-tenths.
Neither Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG GT3 left the pit lane due to fuel docking procedure issues requiring a software update, presenting an early challenge for the manufacturer's WEC debut.
Meanwhile, Racing Spirit of Leman and Proton Competition successfully repaired their damaged cars, with the #10 RSLM Vantage completing 34 laps for sixth position and the rebuilt #77 Mustang completing a determined 25 laps despite being the slowest in class.
The second practice session saw Cadillac rising to the top of the timesheet with Will Stevens in the #12 V 0- Series. R posting a 1:42.228, just 0.105 seconds slower than Calado’s FP1 benchmark but enough to be three-tenths quicker than Ferrari’s Antonio Fuoco in the #50 499P.
BMW’s René Rast completed the top three in the #20 car, almost half a second behind the pacesetting Cadillac.
In LMGT3, United Autosports claimed the fastest time with Sean Gelael lapping the circuit in 1:54.557 in the #95 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, while the AKKODIS ASP Lexus team continued their impressive form with Ben Barnicoat's #78 RC F GT3 finishing just 0.136 seconds behind the McLaren. The #87 sister Lexus of Jose Maria Lopez completed the top three LMGT3 positions with a 1:54.742, showcasing the Japanese manufacturer’s strong pace across both practice sessions.
A special highlight of the day was the Lusail Classic Free Practice session, which featured 30 veteran entries from nine nations piloting iconic machinery from endurance racing’s golden era.
The session was topped by Charlie Hyett in the 1975 Chevron B31 with a time of 2:02.525, followed by Jamie Constable in the 1971 Chevron B19 just 2.779 seconds behind. The #4 1971 Porsche 908/03 completed the top three setting a time of 2:05.308.
The day concluded with the spectacular Lusail Classic Parade that took off from the circuit to the Old Doha Port where fans lined up to witness vintage racing machinery, including the likes of the rare Ferrari 51 BBLM with its flat-12 engine, the nimble British Ginetta G16, and the Chevrolet Corvette C3 representing raw American muscle, delighting spectators with the sights and sounds of endurance racing’s golden era.
Racing continues on Thursday with qualifying sessions that will determine the starting grid for Friday’s sub-10-hour endurance race, which awards 38 championship points to the winners as part of WEC’s points system.
Fans will also have the opportunity to get closer to the action with a special Pit Lane Walk and driver autograph session, offering a chance to meet the stars of endurance racing and see the sophisticated engineering marvels up close.
Fans can still purchase tickets for the remaining days, with General Admission priced at QAR200 for adults, while children under 12 can attend free of charge if accompanied by one paying adult.
The premium Qatar 1812 KM Lounge experience remains available at QAR3,468, offering gourmet dining, exclusive Pit Lane access, and premium trackside viewing.
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