Doha, Qatar: Lusail International Circuit (LIC) successfully hosted the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2025 Prologue on Friday and yesterday, welcoming top endurance racing teams ahead of the Qatar 1812 KM race. This showcases Qatar’s growing prominence in international motorsport, as LIC continues to serve as a premier venue for world-class racing events.
The Prologue provided teams with crucial track time to fine tune their setups and prepare for the Qatar 1812 KM race. With 13 manufacturers and 36 cars competing in the 2025 season, the championship promises wheel-to-wheel battles across all categories.
BMW emerged from the FIA World Endurance Championship’s traditional Prologue test with pre-season bragging rights after Robin Frijns topped the timesheets for the German manufacturer, as the leading contenders proved to be extremely evenly-matched.
Day one pace-setter Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA seemed set to stay in charge in yesterday's faster evening session around Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit as Sebastien Bourdais punched in the ‘purple’ sectors, only to spin the V-Series R Hypercar just as he was poised to vault to the summit of the standings. Unbowed, after returning to the track, the Frenchman wasted no time at all in making good on his earlier promise by supplanting AF Corse’s Robert Kubica at the head of the order – but Frijns had a surprise for them both.
Neither BMW M Team WRT Hypercar had ended the opening day inside the top ten, but as the times began to tumble, the two Bavarian machines went on the attack – flying Dutchman Frijns shaving 0.145secs off Bourdais’ benchmark with a run that would not subsequently be bettered.
The final top six had something of a symmetrical look about it, as a BMW, Cadillac and Ferrari – all of whom dipped underneath the existing lap record – were followed by another BMW, Cadillac and Ferrari. In evidence of how close and competitive the forthcoming campaign promises to be, Alpine and Toyota were also within six tenths-of-a-second of Frijns’ best effort, while Porsche Penske Motorsport lost track time due to a rare engine change in its #6 963 Hypercar after leading the way in session three.
Following the Prologue, attention now shifts to three days of action-packed racing from February 26-28. LIC is set to host not only the Qatar 1812 KM, the opening round of FIA World Endurance Championship, but also the Lusail Classic Race, the F4 Middle East Championship, and the Formula Regional Middle East Championship in the support race category. This diverse lineup ensures a thrilling spectacle for motorsport fans, with intense racing action across multiple categories.
Meanwhile. LIC also showcased the Qatar 1812 KM trophy. Similar to the race title, which honours Qatar National Day, the trophy also pays homage to the country's rich history and heritage. Its dynamic design is inspired by the map of Qatar, while its maroon colour reflects the distinctive shades of the Qatari Flag.
Tickets for the Qatar 1812 KM are available for just 200 QAR. Spectators can enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 60% for senior citizens and 50% for students. Additionally, up to six children under 12 years old can attend for free when accompanied by one adult ticket holder. All tickets include access to the Main Grandstand and the General Admission zone at Lusail Hill, offering elevated views of Turn 1. Paddock access is available but subject to capacity.
