The FIA World Endurance Championship returns to Europe this weekend for round two of its 2025 campaign, with the passionate Italian fans hoping for a replay of Ferrari’s Qatar performance in the upcoming 6 Hours of Imola (18-20 April).
Inaugurated in 1953 and nestled in the country’s scenic Emilia-Romagna region, Imola is a traditional ‘old-school’ venue with real character. Its narrow and undulating 4.909km, 21-turn layout sees Hypercar drivers reach top speeds of around 310km/h, with more than 50 per cent of the lap spent at full-throttle. The track joined the FIA WEC calendar for the first time last year, attracting almost 75,000 avid spectators.
Ferrari dominated proceedings in the 2025 curtain-raising contest at Lusail International Circuit, monopolising the podium with its trio of 499P Hypercars – the two ‘works’ entries sandwiching the privately-run AF Corse prototype in second.
The legendary Italian marque similarly triumphed the last time FIA WEC raced on the ‘Old Continent’ – in the 2024 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – but in such a fiercely-competitive series, success can never be taken for granted, as the team knows only too well.
After locking out the top three spots on the starting grid at Imola 12 months ago – to the delight of the ever-enthusiastic tifosi, its army of loyal supporters – Ferrari led more than half of the race and posted fastest lap but found itself caught out by the changeable conditions, ruling it out of the fight for the rostrum.
Buoyed by its stellar form and historic result in the Middle East, however, the home favourite – based less than 100km up the road in Maranello – is heading back to the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari seeking redemption.
“Racing in Italy is always something special for a driver at the wheel of a Ferrari,” acknowledged Qatar winner Nicklas Nielsen, who shares the #50 factory Hypercar with Antonio Fuoco – last season’s Imola pole-sitter – and Miguel Molina. “The atmosphere in 2024 was incredible, and I’m sure the tifosi won’t hold back with their support again this year.
“We arrive feeling optimistic, and as always, we’ll give our all to be among the front-runners and put a smile on the fans’ faces. We know the race will be demanding, but the team is working tirelessly to be fully prepared and to perform at our best, so we go into the event with confidence.”
Ferrari’s rivals in the 18-strong Hypercar category have been anything but idle since Qatar in their endeavours to rein the Prancing Horse back in, and there is no shortage of pretenders for the top step of the podium at Imola. Cadillac was in the hunt for honours in the Middle East until its two cars dramatically collided at a safety car re-start, while BMW is looking ever-more ready to break its FIA WEC duck.
Defending champions Toyota and Porsche had a more subdued start to the season, with the Japanese manufacturer – the most successful in the series’ history and last year’s Imola winner – managing no better than fifth and sixth, and the German brand only just sneaking into the points in tenth place. It will be fascinating, meanwhile, to measure the progress made by Aston Martin over the intervening period, following back-to-back top ten finishes for the striking new Valkyrie in IMSA competition.
In the 18-car LMGT3 field, an epic duel for victory in Qatar saw Corvette (TF Sport) narrowly defeat McLaren (United Autosports) – the latter the latest carmaker to commit to a Hypercar future. Both will be eager to maintain their early momentum, but all eyes will surely be on Team WRT’s Valentino Rossi. BMW claimed a one-two in Italy in 2024 – and a maiden triumph for the nine-time motorcycling world champion would undoubtedly send the home crowd into rapture.
In addition to the usual trophies, the winners of the 6 Hours of Imola will each receive an FIA President’s Medal, a sustainably-crafted personal award that will be presented for the first time in endurance racing this weekend. Previously exclusive to Formula 1, this accolade is now being adopted across other FIA World Championships, symbolising the governing body’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation. Beyond honouring elite sporting achievement, the medal also celebrates dedication and skill.
Following a drivers’ presentation, interviews and autograph session in the city centre on Thursday, 17 April, the on-track sessions will begin with free practice on Friday, 18 April. Qualifying – and the all-important Hyperpole – starts at 14:30 CET on Saturday, 19 April, with the race getting underway at 13:00 CET on Sunday, 20 April.
For further information, including the full event timetable and entry list, click HERE.
Follow the action live via the official FIA WEC App.
