Antonio Giovinazzi secured pole place for the Qatar 1812km, the opening spherical of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, putting the #51 AF Corse Ferrari 499P on high of the timing screens, with United Autosports McLarens reaching a front-row lockout within the LMGT3 class
The Italian ex-Method 1 driver posted a last-gasp time of 1:38.359 to grab pole from Dries Vanthoor’s #20 BMW M Hybrid V8, which was simply shy of securing the Bavarian producer’s first-ever WEC top-class pole place.
This marked Giovinazzi’s second pole within the final 4 rounds, after securing one at COTA in 2024. Ferrari AF Corse grew to become the fourth staff to attain 5 general poles, following Audi, Toyota, and Porsche LMP1 Workforce. Moreover, this was the second time the 499P had certified on pole for a season-opener, following Sebring’s 2023 curtain-raiser.
In third place was the #50 AF Corse Ferrari, pushed by Antonio Fuoco. Alongside the second of the Ferraris on the second row of the grid was the higher of the Cadillac V-Collection.Rs, run by the Hertz Workforce JOTA squad. Alex Lynn posted the quickest time within the #12 automotive, whereas his teammate Sebastien Bourdais certified the #30 automotive in fifth, finishing a robust begin for the brand new team-manufacturer partnership.
The second BMW, pushed by Robin Frijns, secured sixth, guaranteeing that two BMWs joined the Ferraris and Cadillacs within the high six. The highest ten was rounded out by the #7 Toyota Gazoo Hypercar, the #83 AF Corse Ferrari, the #35 Alpine, and the #93 Peugeot TotalEnergies entry.
MCLAREN FRONT-ROW LOCKOUT IN LMGT3
United Autosports’ McLarens claimed a second consecutive WEC 1-2 in qualifying, with the #95 McLaren LMGT3, pushed by Sean Gelael, securing the primary pole place of the 2025 season. Gelael made an excellent begin to his McLaren profession with a flawless lap, ending forward of the sister #59 United Autosports McLaren, pushed by Sebastien Baud, with a niche of 0.2s. This pole was Gelael’s first within the WEC.
This pole was Gelael’s first within the WEC. McLaren now holds probably the most poles in LMGT3, with three to its identify. United Autosports grew to become the primary staff to say consecutive LMGT3 poles, following their front-row lockouts in each Bahrain and Qatar.
The McLarens made it to the Hyperpole session due to the efforts of Darren Leung and James Cottingham, respectively. This was first time when the brand new rules, which mandate Silver-ranked drivers to run within the Hyperpole session, have been in place.
Third on the grid for tomorrow’s race is the #78 Akkodis ASP Lexus, pushed by WEC rookie Finn Gehrsitz. Becoming a member of the Lexus on the second row is the #54 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3, pushed by Francesco Castellacci.
