Photo: Ian Chicken
Ferrari AF Corse topped the time sheets after the first practice session for the Qatar 1812km, the opening round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, after James Calado lapped the 5.419 km of Losail International Circuit in 1:42.123 in the team’s #51 Ferrari 499P. Calado’s time was .232 seconds quicker than Sébastien Bourdais in the #38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac V-Series.R. Completing the top three in the Hypercar class was the sister Ferrari 499P, the #50 car lapping in 1:42.397.
The competitiveness of the 2025 Hypercar grid was evidenced by the fact that six of the eight manufacturers represented in the top class were present in the top ten quickest times.
2024 champions Toyota Gazoo Racing were 4th quickest with a 1:42.446 from the #8 Toyota GR010 – Hybrid with Brendon Hartley behind the wheel.
The two Aston Martin Team THOR Valkyries finished 17th and 18th on the time sheets. Harry Tincknell in the #007 car set the quickest time for the marque with a 1:44.084 on his 6th lap of six while Marco Sorensen put in a 1:44.324 to go 18th quickest.
In the LMGT3 class the #78 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus RC F finished the session at the top of the timing screens, Ben Barnicoat putting in a 1:55.623 on his 10th lap of 12 while the #33 TF Sport Corvette Z06 LMGT3 R was second quickest in the hands of Dani Juncadella, the Spanish driver lapping Losail International circuit in 1:55.736.
Third quickest in class was the sister #81 TF Sport Corvette in which Charlie Eastwood lapped in 1:55.820.
The second practice session gets underway at 1650 local time.
