QATAR 1812 KM - FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP CONCLUDES WITH SPECTACULAR FINALE
The Qatar 1812 KM - FIA World Endurance Championship concluded in spectacular fashion on Friday 28 February 2025, at Lusail International Circuit (LIC), drawing motorsport enthusiasts and officials from around the world to witness the thrilling season opener.
The circuit was packed with enthusiastic fans throughout the three-day event, marking a significant milestone for endurance motorsport in Qatar with the second edition of this sub 10-hour race. The official opening ceremony commenced with the Qatar National Anthem, followed by the traditional Qatari Folk Performance, Ardha.
The spotlight of the day was the Qatar 1812 KM, featuring 36 cars split evenly across Hypercar and LMGT3 categories. The sub 10-hour endurance race showcased the peak of motorsport engineering and driver skill, with leading manufacturers battling for a headstart in this opening round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season. The event also featured a special visit by QMMF & QMA drivers exploring the Peugeot team garage during the Qatar 1812 km FIA WEC 2025.
In the Hypercar category, AF Corse secured victory with drivers Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Philip Hanson behind the wheel of the #83 Ferrari 499P, completing the race in 9 hours, 1 minute, and 18.578 seconds. The #50 Ferrari AF Corse secured second place, finishing just 1.601 seconds behind, while the #51 Ferrari AF Corse rounded out the podium in third.
The LMGT3 category also witnessed intense competition, with TF Sport securing the win as drivers Ben Keating, Daniel Juncadella, and Jonny Edgar piloted the #33 Corvette Z06 to victory with a time of 9 hours, 2 minutes, 1.284 seconds. United Autosports' #59 McLaren 720S finished a mere 0.991 seconds behind in second place, while the #21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 completed the podium in third.
Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, President of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and LIC, expressed his satisfaction with the Qatar 1812 KM, stating: "We are delighted with the success of the second edition of the Qatar 1812 KM across organizational and technical levels. We were particularly pleased to host all teams, drivers, and fans who joined us at LIC in a wonderful gathering that embodies and reinforces our position as a comprehensive center for motorsport development in the region. We take pride in these achievements as they are the result of diligent efforts from various parties, whether at LIC, QMMF, or all volunteers who worked tirelessly in cooperation with numerous authorities and ministries within Qatar."
He added: “We are particularly proud of the strong local presence in this race, with Qatari drivers showcasing their talents in the support races held alongside the Qatar 1812 KM. Developing local motorsport talent remains one of our top priorities, with championships such as the F4 Middle East Championship providing a valuable opportunity for our rising stars to gain experience. As our Qatari drivers compete alongside international contenders, our commitment to nurturing local talent and building a sustainable motorsport ecosystem for future generations is clearly reflected.”
Following the conclusion of the Qatar 1812 KM race, the Lusail sky lit up with a spectacular fireworks display, celebrating the end of an exhilarating competition. A podium ceremony honored the winning drivers in both categories, marking a fitting conclusion to the 2025 Qatar 1812 KM – FIA World Endurance Championship. With another successful motorsport event at LIC, fans now turn their attention to the highly anticipated MotoGP weekend, set to take place from April 11-13, 2025, at Lusail International Circuit.