The 2025 Qatar 1812Km race saw intense competition, with Ferrari AF Corse dominating the podium. "Winning is a team effort, and we placed significant focus on strategy and endurance," said Antonio Fuoco, one of the victorious drivers, reflecting the team’s collaborative effort.
Crossing the finish line first, the team of Fuoco, M. Molina, and N. Nielsen completed the race in a time of 10:01:39.098. The victory not only secured their place at the top but also showcased the power of the Ferrari 499P. "Our car performed exceptionally well on the track. It’s a great feeling to be part of a winning team," said Nielsen, emphasizing their strong performance.
Following closely behind, the second-placed car, driven by R. Kubica, Y. Ye, and P. Hanson, finished just 2.348 seconds later. "Every second counts in a race like this. I’m proud of how our team managed the pressure," Kubica noted, highlighting the narrow margin that defines endurance racing.
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Ferrari's third entry, featuring A. Pier Guidi, J. Calado, and A. Giovinazzi, finished in a commendable third place, completing the race just 0.329 seconds behind their teammates. Calado admitted, "Being part of a Ferrari lineup is incredible. We’re always pushing each other to do better."
The race wasn't just about Ferrari, as BMW M Team WRT made a strong showing with their BMW M Hybrid V8 finishing in fourth place. Driver D. Vanthoor remarked, "While we didn’t take the win, our performance was solid, and we fought hard. We’ll come back stronger."
Toyota Gazoo Racing also showcased their competitive edge. Their best-performing car achieved a fifth-place finish, demonstrating reliability and speed with the Toyota GR010 - Hybrid. "We learned a lot from this race that we can apply in future events," said S. Buemi, reflecting on the team’s strategies.
The competition involved more than just the top finishers; the race also tested the endurance of all teams across the field. The Cadillac Hertz Team Jota finished eighth, with A. Lynn highlighting the team spirit, "We battled through mechanical issues but managed to bring the car home intact, and that’s what counts in endurance racing."
Among the noteworthy entries was the Peugeot TotalEnergies team, whose car finished ninth. Driver P. Di Resta shared, "It’s always tough competing against the best, but every lap teaches us something valuable."
The event, held under the high-intensity lights of Qatar, not only provided thrilling visuals for fans but also served up numerous strategic challenges for the teams. The unpredictable nature of the weather and track conditions played a crucial role in determining the outcomes.
Looking further down the classification, several teams faced difficulties, with multiple laps down. The Aston Martin Valkyrie, finished in 17th, suffering from performance setbacks commented by A. Riberas: "We faced unforeseen challenges, but the experience here will only strengthen our approach for the next race."
In a race filled with drama, teamwork, and high-speed strategy, the Qatar 1812Km provided a glimpse into the future of endurance racing in 2025. Teams will undoubtedly be making adjustments and improvements for upcoming competitions as they learn from both victories and setbacks. With strong performances from manufacturers like Ferrari and BMW, the stage is set for an exciting continuation of the season.
As the teams pack up and prepare for the next challenges, the 2025 endurance racing scene remains vibrant, with fan enthusiasm running high. Stay tuned as the racing community looks forward to the next installment in this year's thrilling championship.