RACING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOUNT FUJI: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM WEC
This weekend marks the 7th round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, the 6 Hours of Fuji, and as the penultimate race of the season, the stakes are sky-high. Teams are scrambling to cement their positions before the final showdown in Bahrain.
Championship Landscape: Who’s Leading
Heading into Fuji, Ferrari sits atop the Hypercar manufacturers’ standings with 203 points, holding a comfortable 65-point lead over nearest rivals.
In the Drivers’ Championship, the trio of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi (Ferrari #51) lead with 115 points. Just behind them are Robert Kubica, Phil Hanson, and Yifei Ye (AF Corse) on 100 points.
Other challengers in the mix include the line‐ups from Porsche and Cadillac, though they’ll need strong results at Fuji (and Bahrain) to overcome Ferrari’s cushion. Toyota, too, remains in the hunt but is further back and under pressure to perform at its home circuit. Porsche Penske will not field its usual #5 lineup: Jaminet will step in for Christensen, who has other commitments.
The LMGT3 category is equally competitive. Riccardo Pera, Richard Lietz, and Ryan Hardwick (Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche #92) lead with 95 points in the drivers and manufacturers standings, while Alessio Rovera, François Heriau, and Simon Mann (Vista AF Corse Ferrari #21) are close behind on 76 points. With just one round left after Fuji, every point is critical for both drivers and manufacturers.
Fuji Speedway: A Technical and Strategic Challenge
Fuji Speedway is a track of contrasts. Its 1.475 km straight rewards raw speed, while the twisty technical sections test grip, downforce, and tyre management. Teams must strike the perfect balance between aggressive pace and preserving the car over six hours of racing. Multi-class traffic adds an extra layer of complexity, as Hypercars navigate around slower LMGT3 entries, creating opportunities and hazards alike.
Weather and Strategy: The Unpredictable Factor
Fuji’s weather is notoriously unpredictable. Races can start under clear skies and quickly descend into rain, mist, or fog, forcing teams to adapt strategies on the fly. Tyre choice, pit timing, and safety car periods will all play a decisive role in determining the outcome, making adaptability as important as outright speed.
Home Pressure for Toyota, Opportunity for Rivals
Toyota Gazoo Racing faces enormous pressure at their home race in Japan, with fans expecting a strong performance. Drivers like Kamui Kobayashi and Ryo Hirakawa are motivated to shine in front of a passionate local crowd. At the same time, rivals like Porsche, Cadillac, and Ferrari are eager to capitalize on any mistakes, making the battle for supremacy intense and unpredictable.
LMGT3: A Tight Battle in the GT Ranks
The LMGT3 category promises just as much excitement as Hypercar. Leaders must maintain focus under intense pressure, while challengers are ready to exploit every opportunity. Strategy, reliability, and the ability to navigate traffic will be key, and a strong performance at Fuji could shift momentum heading into the season finale.
Balance of Performance:
The Balance of Performance brings several notable adjustments across both Hypercar and LMGT3. In the top class, Alpine receives the largest gain with a 6 kW power boost, bringing its A424 up to 512 kW, while both Porsche and BMW are granted a smaller 2 kW increase. On the other side, Toyota and Cadillac are slightly pegged back with a 1 kW reduction each, while Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Peugeot remain unchanged in terms of power and weight. Minimum weights continue to vary, with Aston Martin and Peugeot at the 1030 kg floor and Toyota and Ferrari carrying the heaviest loads at 1069 kg.
In LMGT3, the Ford Mustang GT3 is the most heavily impacted, taking on an additional 15 kg to sit at 1349 kg, while BMW adds 8 kg and Corvette 3 kg. Aston Martin benefits with a 5 kg reduction, whereas McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Lexus, and Porsche see no major changes beyond some fine-tuning at higher speeds.
Friday, 26 September 2025
- Free Practice 1: 02:15–03:45 BST
- Free Practice 2: 06:30–08:00 BST
Saturday, 27 September 2025
- Free Practice 3: 01:50–02:50 BST
- Qualifying – LMGT3: 06:20–06:32 BST
- Hyperpole – LMGT3: 06:40–06:52 BST
- Qualifying – Hypercar: 07:00–07:12 BST
- Hyperpole – Hypercar: 07:20–07:32 BST
Sunday, 28 September 2025
- Race Start: 03:00 BST
- Race Finish: 09:00 BST
All sessions will be broadcast live on Eurosport 1 across the UK, and you can also stream the action via Discovery+ or the official FIA WEC app for a fee, which includes expert commentary and live timing.
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