Motorsport Weekly News: Ferrari strut their stuff in Qatar
Non-F1 NewsFriday, 28 February 2025 at 07:00
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The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season began in Qatar with an intense qualifying session that saw Ferrari secure pole position for the season-opening Qatar 1812km race.
Antonio Giovinazzi, behind the wheel of the #51 AF Corse Ferrari 499P Hypercar, delivered an impressive performance to claim the top spot on the grid. His lap time edged out competition from Toyota Gazoo Racing and Porsche Penske Motorsport, marking Ferrari as an early favourite for the season.
The Qatar 1812km race, a new addition to the WEC calendar, serves as a significant opening challenge for teams, offering a mix of high-speed straights and technical corners at the Losail International Circuit. The endurance event replaces the traditional Sebring opener, shifting the focus to the Middle East as WEC expands its global presence.
Defending champions Toyota Gazoo Racing will start from the second row with their GR010 Hybrid, maintaining continuity in their driver lineup as they seek to retain their title. Meanwhile, Porsche Penske Motorsport and Peugeot TotalEnergies showcased strong race pace in practice, setting up a highly competitive season opener.
Cadillac Racing and BMW M Team WRT also demonstrated their pace in the Hypercar class, while in LMGT3, Aston Martin, Corvette, and Lamborghini emerged as key contenders. The growing presence of manufacturers in the Hypercar and LMGT3 categories underlines the increasing appeal of endurance racing.
With Ferrari leading the grid, the Qatar 1812km promises a thrilling battle between the world's top endurance teams, setting the tone for the 2025 WEC season, which will see further competition at legendary venues such as Le Mans, Spa, and Fuji.
2025 IndyCar season kicks off in St. Petersburg
The 2025 IndyCar season is set to begin this weekend with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, marking the traditional season opener on the Florida street circuit. The 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary track has been a staple on the calendar since 2005 and often sets the tone for the championship battle ahead.
Reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou enters the season as the driver to beat, but he faces strong competition from Colton Herta, Pato O’Ward, and Scott McLaughlin, all eager to challenge his dominance. Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing, and Arrow McLaren are expected to be front-runners, while Meyer Shank Racing and Andretti Global aim to make early statements in the competitive field.
The St. Petersburg race will also see the debut of new talent, with Nolan Siegel and Linus Lundqvist making their first full-season appearances. Meanwhile, veteran drivers like Will Power and Scott Dixon are looking to add another victory to their resumes.
With warm conditions expected and overtaking opportunities limited, strategy will play a key role in the outcome. As the 2025 season begins, all eyes will be on St. Petersburg to see who emerges as an early title contender.
WRC Driver Reactions to FIA's Swearing Ban
A major point of contention has arisen due to the FIA's recent enforcement of a ban on swearing during official events. This policy led to a €30,000 fine for driver Adrien Fourmaux after he used explicit language during an interview.
The World Rally Drivers Association (WoRDA) has expressed strong opposition to the severity of these fines, arguing that the high-adrenaline environment of rallying makes such language difficult to control. They also question the practicality of enforcing this ban and seek clarity on how the collected fines are utilized.
The FIA maintains that the code of conduct aims to promote good sportsmanship, stating that fine revenues support grassroots and safety initiatives.
Elfyn Evans' Championship Lead
Elfyn Evans' Championship Lead
On the competitive front, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 driver Elfyn Evans has taken an early lead in the championship standings following his record-breaking performance at Rally Sweden. Evans secured 35 points from a single round, the highest ever in WRC history. Despite this achievement, Evans believes his points lead may not fully reflect the challenges ahead, acknowledging the strong competition from fellow drivers.
In team news, M-Sport is evaluating potential long-term replacements for Adrien Fourmaux. The team is considering various drivers to strengthen their line-up for upcoming rallies, aiming to enhance their competitiveness in the championship.
NASCAR Weekend at COTA with New Track Layout
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, this weekend, bringing a fresh challenge with a revised 2.3-mile track layout. The change comes as part of efforts to enhance racing action, creating more overtaking opportunities and ensuring better visibility for fans.
This event marks NASCAR’s fourth visit to COTA since its debut on the schedule in 2021. The circuit, originally designed for Formula 1, has produced thrilling road course battles, but concerns over track limits and passing zones have led to this new layout, which eliminates some of the more problematic sections.
This weekend will feature a stacked entry list, with road course specialists like AJ Allmendinger and Shane van Gisbergen expected to contend alongside series regulars such as Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Tyler Reddick, all known for their prowess on road circuits.
Additionally, 18-year-old Connor Zilisch is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut, drawing significant attention as a rising talent in stock car racing.
With practice and qualifying sessions for the Xfinity Series and the IMSA-sanctioned VP Racing SportsCar Challenge also on the schedule, the NASCAR weekend at COTA promises high-intensity action and a first look at how the new layout affects race strategy.
DTM: Aston Martin set for campaign in 2025
Aston Martin is rejoining the DTM in 2025, with the Belgian team Comtoyou Racing entering two Aston Martin Vantage GT3 cars. This brings the total to eight manufacturers participating in the upcoming season.
In other DTM news, Morris Schuring is set to make his DTM debut at the season opener from April 25 to 27 at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. The young driver expressed enthusiasm, stating it's a childhood dream come true.
The 2025 season is set to commence with its opening race weekend from April 25 to 27, 2025, at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in Germany. This event marks the official start of the season, featuring practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and the first two races.
While the specific dates for pre-season testing have not been officially announced, it is customary for DTM teams to conduct testing sessions in the weeks leading up to the inaugural race. These sessions are typically held at various circuits to fine-tune vehicle setups and assess performance. Teams and drivers are advised to monitor official DTM communications for updates regarding the testing schedule.
2025 DTM calendar:
- April 25 to 27: Motorsport Arena Oschersleben
- May 23-25: Dekra Lausitzring, Germany
- June 6-8: Circuit Zandvoort, Netherlands
- July 4-6: Norisring, Germany
- August 8-10: Nürburgring, Germany
- August 22-24: Sachsenring, Germany
- September 12-14: Red Bull Ring, Austria
- October 3-5: Hockenheimring, Germany
MotoGP 2025 Season under Liberty Media begins with Thai Grand Prix
The 2025 MotoGP season kicks off with the Thai Grand Prix at Buriram’s Chang International Circuit, marking a new era under Liberty Media’s ownership. This is the first full season where the sport will be managed by the same company that revolutionized Formula 1, bringing expectations of increased global reach, expanded digital engagement, and a stronger commercial presence.
Liberty Media has already introduced new broadcasting deals, including an expanded partnership with Fox Sports in the United States and enhanced streaming options worldwide. There are also plans to improve fan engagement through interactive race coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and enhanced data analytics similar to F1’s transformation.
On track, all eyes are on Marc Márquez, who makes his highly anticipated debut with Ducati’s factory team, hoping to reclaim championship glory. Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia aims for a third consecutive title, while Fabio Quartararo, Jorge Martín, and Enea Bastianini are set to challenge the dominance of Ducati.
The Thai Grand Prix, known for its passionate crowds and demanding conditions, will provide an early test for the 2025 MotoGP grid, as riders adapt to new machinery, team dynamics, and Liberty Media’s vision for the sport’s future.
This is our daily summary of the headline news from the major non-Formula 1 international motorsport series.
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