The Lusail International Circuit (LIC) came alive once again as the Qatar 1812 KM kicked off the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season in spectacular fashion. The 10-hour race once on Friday thrilled the fans for the second successive year capturing their imagination and showcasing Qatar’s growing prominence as a global hub for motorsports. Named in honour of Qatar’s National Day, the Qatar 1812 KM is not just a race but a celebration of excellence. The season’s curtain raiser drew a total of 36 teams, split between the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes, in a thrilling season opener. The stakes were high as teams set their sights on an early lead in the championship, which will travel across the globe, with stops in Italy, Belgium, France, Brazil, the USA, and Japan, before concluding in Bahrain in November. The Lusail International Circuit, already a cornerstone of global motorsport, is renowned for hosting prestigious events like MotoGP and Formula 1. Its transition into the endurance racing world adds to its legacy. The race itself was a spectacle of speed and strategy, with Ferrari making history by securing a one-two-three finish in the Hypercar class. The #50 Ferrari AF Corse entry led the pack, followed by the privately-entered #83 AF Corse 499P Hypercar and the pole-sitting #51 works machine. This landmark victory marked a major milestone for Ferrari in the Hypercar era of WEC. Meanwhile, in the LMGT3 class, Corvette was the team to beat, as it kicked off the season with a hard-fought win. The final laps of the race saw an intense battle between Daniel Juncadella of TF Sport and McLaren’s Grégoire Saucy with Juncadella holding firm to clinch the thrilling victory. Beyond the racing, the event was a showcase of Qatar’s commitment to developing local motorsport talent. President of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and the LIC Abdulrahman Al Mannai expressed his pride in the success of the race, noting the significant local presence in the support races. With programs like the F4 Middle East Championship, Qatar is fostering a new generation of drivers who will one day compete on the world stage.
