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The FIA World Endurance Championship returns to Europe this weekend for round two of its 2025 campaign, with the passionate Italian fans hoping for a repeat of Ferrari’s Qatar performance in the forthcoming 6 Hours of Imola (18-20 April).
Inaugurated in 1953 and nestled in the country’s scenic Emilia-Romagna region, Imola is a traditional ‘old-school’ venue with real character. Its narrow and undulating 4.909km, 21-turn layout sees Hypercar drivers reach top speeds in the region of 310km/h, with more than 50 per cent of the lap spent at full-throttle. The track joined the FIA WEC schedule for the first time last year, attracting almost 75,000 avid spectators.
HOME HEROES TARGETING A QATAR REPEATFerrari dominated proceedings in the season’s curtain-raising contest at Lusail International Circuit, monopolising the podium with its trio of 499P Hypercars – the two ‘works’ entries sandwiching the privately-run AF Corse prototype in second.
The legendary Italian marque similarly triumphed the last time FIA WEC raced on the ‘Old Continent’ – in the 2024 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – but in such a fiercely-competitive series, success can never be taken for granted, as the team knows only too well.
After locking out the top three spots on the starting grid at Imola 12 months ago – to the delight of the ever-enthusiastic tifosi, its army of loyal supporters – Ferrari led for more than half of the race and posted the fastest lap, only to find itself caught out by the changeable conditions, ruling it out of the fight for the rostrum.
Buoyed by its stellar form and historic result in the Middle East, the home favourite – based less than 100km up the road in Maranello – is heading back to the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari seeking redemption.
“Racing in Italy is always something special for a driver at the wheel of a Ferrari,” acknowledged Qatar winner Nicklas Nielsen, who shares the #50 factory Hypercar with Antonio Fuoco – last season’s Imola pole-sitter – and Miguel Molina. “The atmosphere in 2024 was incredible, and I’m sure the tifosi won’t hold back with their support again this year.
We arrive feeling optimistic, and as always, we’ll give our all to be among the front-runners and put a smile on fans’ faces. We know the race will be demanding, but the team is working tirelessly to be fully prepared and to perform at our best, so we go into the event with confidence.”
RIVALS REDOUBLING EFFORTS TO REDRESS THE BALANCEFerrari’s rivals in the 18-strong Hypercar category have been anything but idle since Qatar in their efforts to rein the Prancing Horse back in, and there is no shortage of pretenders for the top step of the podium at Imola. Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA was in the hunt for honours in the Middle East until its two cars dramatically collided at a safety car re-start, while BMW M Team WRT is looking ever-more ready to break its FIA WEC duck.
Defending champions Toyota and Porsche had a more subdued start to the season, with the Japanese manufacturer – the most successful in the series’ history – managing no better than fifth and sixth, and the German brand only just sneaking into the points in tenth place. It will be interesting, meanwhile, to see the progress made by Aston Martin THOR Team over the intervening period, following back-to-back top ten finishes for the new Valkyrie in IMSA competition.
In the 18-car LMGT3 field, an epic duel for victory in Qatar saw Corvette (TF Sport) narrowly defeat McLaren (United Autosports) – the latter the latest carmaker to commit to a Hypercar future. Both will be eager to maintain their early momentum, but all eyes will surely be on Team WRT’s Valentino Rossi. BMW claimed a one-two in Italy last year – and a maiden triumph for the nine-time motorcycling world champion would undoubtedly send the home crowd into rapture.
SUSTAINABLE SILVERWARE AT STAKERace winners will receive the FIA President’s Medal, a sustainably crafted personal award that will be presented for the first time in endurance racing at Imola. Previously exclusive to Formula 1, the medal is now being adopted across other FIA World Championships, symbolising the FIA’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation. Beyond honouring elite sporting achievement, the medal also celebrates the victors’ dedication and skill.
Following the drivers’ presentation, interview and autograph sessions in the city centre on Thursday, 17 April, the on-track sessions will begin with free practice on Friday, 18 April, followed by qualifying – and the all-important Hyperpole – from 14:30 CET on Saturday, 19 April. The race will get underway at 13:00 CET on Sunday, 20 April.
For further information, including the full event timetable and entry list, click HERE.
