Photo credit: Porsche
Porsche is preparing to enter the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with the objective of securing the manufacturers’ championship, following their success in the drivers’ title last year. The season will commence on February 28 at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar, featuring the “Qatar 1812 km” race that spans a duration of ten hours. The Porsche Penske Motorsport factory team, along with the customer team Proton Competition, will field a total of three Porsche 963 vehicles in the top Hypercar class. Additionally, the Iron Dames and Manthey 1st Phorm teams will each compete with a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the LMGT3 category.
The previous year’s race in Qatar marked its inaugural appearance on the FIA WEC calendar, where Porsche factory drivers Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and André Lotterer achieved victory, contributing to their drivers’ world championship title. The race also saw two other Porsche 963 vehicles finishing in second and third places. In the LMGT3 category, Klaus Bachler, Alex Malykhin, and Joel Sturm secured a class victory in their Porsche 911 GT3 R, setting the stage for their championship campaign.
Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, stated, “After winning the drivers’ title last year, our goal is now to claim the biggest trophy for manufacturers as well.” He highlighted their recent success in the North American IMSA series, where they achieved a second consecutive victory at Daytona, and expressed the team’s aim to replicate this success in Qatar. The Porsche 963 is designed to continue the legacy of previous endurance racing prototypes.
Urs Kuratle, Director of Factory Motorsport LMDh, noted the team’s preparations and refinements made during the offseason, indicating that they are well-prepared to face a competitive Hypercar class. The driver lineup for the No. 5 Porsche Penske Motorsport entry includes Michael Christensen, Mathieu Jaminet, and Julien Andlauer, while the No. 6 car features reigning champions Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell.
Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director of Porsche Penske Motorsport, mentioned the upcoming two-day Prologue test at the Lusail International Circuit, stating that it will serve as final preparations for the season. The team aims to build on their performances from the previous season.
The Hypercar class will include Porsche’s two hybrid prototypes, each producing approximately 500 kW, alongside Proton Competition’s identical Porsche 963. A total of 18 cars from eight manufacturers will compete for overall victories in the top category of the FIA WEC. The WEC Prologue will take place on February 21 and 22, providing teams with an opportunity to participate in test sessions.
In the LMGT3 class, Manthey will enter the season as the defending champion, fielding a Porsche 911 GT3 R. The No. 92 car will be driven by Richard Lietz, Ryan Hardwick, and Riccardo Pera, while the Iron Dames will compete in the No. 85 car, driven by Rahel Frey, Célia Martin, and Michelle Gatting.
The Lusail International Circuit, which has hosted the FIA WEC season opener for the second consecutive year, features a 5.419-kilometer track with 16 curves. The race will begin at 14:00 local time, with teams facing high temperatures that are expected to drop as night falls.
As the season approaches, various drivers have expressed their thoughts. Julien Andlauer emphasized his excitement for the season opener, while Kévin Estre reflected on the challenges of defending their title. Neel Jani noted the team’s progress and preparation for the new season, and Rahel Frey expressed enthusiasm for competing in the championship-winning team.
In summary, Porsche’s entry into the 2025 FIA WEC season highlights their ambitions for both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships, with a strong lineup and preparations in place to compete effectively in the upcoming races.
