2025 WEC: Prologue Test Shows Wide-Open Championship Battle Ahead
The 2025 WEC season is shaping up to be highly competitive following the Prologue testing at Lusail circuit, with significant developments across all manufacturers narrowing performance gaps in the Hypercar class.
Race cars battling at Daytona
Key Hypercar Insights:
- BMW set the fastest lap with Robin Frijns
- Five cars beat last year's pole time
- Top 10 cars (six different manufacturers) were within 0.9 seconds
- Toyota completed the most laps (792) across both cars
- Aston Martin's new Valkyries showed promising reliability with 549 laps
Notable Performances:
- Robert Kubica (AF Corse 499P) completed the most laps (183)
- Multiple manufacturers led different sessions: Ferrari, Cadillac, Porsche, and BMW
- BMW M Team WRT shows significant progress from 2024
- Aston Martin's Valkyrie debut impressed with reliability and performance
LMGT3 Highlights:
- Top 12 cars separated by just one second
- Lexus, Corvette, and Ferrari each topped sessions
- Ben Keating (TF Sport) fastest bronze driver
- Ryan Hardwick completed most laps (154) in Manthey Porsche
Technical Issues:
- Porsche #6 963 suffered first-ever engine failure
- Proton's Ford Mustang missed three sessions due to fire
- Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin requires repairs after barrier contact
The compressed field and improved competitiveness across manufacturers suggest an unpredictable and exciting season ahead, with multiple teams showing potential for victory as the first race approaches.