The FIA World Endurance Championship returns to Europe this weekend for spherical two of its 2025 marketing campaign, with the passionate Italian followers hoping for a repeat of Ferrari’s Qatar efficiency within the forthcoming 6 Hours of Imola (18-20 April).
Inaugurated in 1953 and nestled within the nation’s scenic Emilia-Romagna area, Imola is a conventional ‘old-school’ venue with actual character. Its slender and undulating 4.909km, 21-turn format sees Hypercar drivers attain prime speeds within the area of 310km/h, with greater than 50 per cent of the lap spent at full-throttle. The observe joined the FIA WEC schedule for the primary time final yr, attracting nearly 75,000 avid spectators.
HOME HEROES TARGETING A QATAR REPEAT
Ferrari dominated proceedings within the season’s curtain-raising contest at Lusail Worldwide Circuit, monopolising the rostrum with its trio of 499P Hypercars – the 2 ‘works’ entries sandwiching the privately-run AF Corse prototype in second.
The legendary Italian marque equally triumphed the final time FIA WEC raced on the ‘Outdated Continent’ – within the 2024 version of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – however in such a fiercely-competitive sequence, success can by no means be taken as a right, because the group is aware of solely too nicely.
After locking out the highest three spots on the beginning grid at Imola 12 months in the past – to the delight of the ever-enthusiastic tifosi, its military of loyal supporters – Ferrari led for greater than half of the race and posted the quickest lap, solely to seek out itself caught out by the changeable situations, ruling it out of the struggle for the podium.
Buoyed by its stellar type and historic consequence within the Center East, the house favorite – based mostly lower than 100km up the highway in Maranello – is heading again to the enduring Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in search of redemption.
“Racing in Italy is all the time one thing particular for a driver on the wheel of a Ferrari,” acknowledged Qatar winner Nicklas Nielsen, who shares the #50 manufacturing facility Hypercar with Antonio Fuoco – final season’s Imola pole-sitter – and Miguel Molina. “The ambiance in 2024 was unbelievable, and I’m certain the tifosi received’t maintain again with their help once more this yr.
We arrive feeling optimistic, and as all the time, we’ll give our all to be among the many front-runners and put a smile on followers’ faces. We all know the race shall be demanding, however the group is working tirelessly to be absolutely ready and to carry out at our greatest, so we go into the occasion with confidence.”
RIVALS REDOUBLING EFFORTS TO REDRESS THE BALANCE
Ferrari’s rivals within the 18-strong Hypercar class have been something however idle since Qatar of their efforts to rein the Prancing Horse again in, and there’s no scarcity of pretenders for the highest step of the rostrum at Imola. Cadillac Hertz Group JOTA was within the hunt for honours within the Center East till its two vehicles dramatically collided at a security automotive re-start, whereas BMW M Group WRT is wanting ever-more prepared to interrupt its FIA WEC duck.
Defending champions Toyota and Porsche had a extra subdued begin to the season, with the Japanese producer – probably the most profitable within the sequence’ historical past – managing no higher than fifth and sixth, and the German model solely simply sneaking into the factors in tenth place. Will probably be fascinating, in the meantime, to see the progress made by Aston Martin THOR Group over the intervening interval, following back-to-back prime ten finishes for the brand new Valkyrie in IMSA competitors.
Within the 18-car LMGT3 area, an epic duel for victory in Qatar noticed Corvette (TF Sport) narrowly defeat McLaren (United Autosports) – the latter the most recent carmaker to decide to a Hypercar future. Each shall be keen to keep up their early momentum, however all eyes will certainly be on Group WRT’s Valentino Rossi. BMW claimed a one-two in Italy final yr – and a maiden triumph for the nine-time motorcycling world champion would undoubtedly ship the house crowd into rapture.
SUSTAINABLE SILVERWARE AT STAKE
Race winners will obtain the FIA President’s Medal, a sustainably crafted private award that shall be introduced for the primary time in endurance racing at Imola. Beforehand unique to Formulation 1, the medal is now being adopted throughout different FIA World Championships, symbolising the FIA’s ongoing dedication to environmental duty and innovation. Past honouring elite sporting achievement, the medal additionally celebrates the victors’ dedication and talent.
Following the drivers’ presentation, interview and autograph classes within the metropolis centre on Thursday, 17 April, the on-track classes will start with free apply on Friday, 18 April, adopted 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 additional data, together with the complete occasion timetable and entry record, click on HERE.
