WEC 2025: PREVIEW AND BoP ANALYSIS FOR THE QATAR 1812KM

The 2025 endurance world championship is set to kick off with collective testing in Qatar, a two-day event that will serve as a proving ground ahead of the first race of the season, scheduled one week later at the Losail circuit. The FIA has already released the initial Balance of Performance (BoP), providing some insights into what to expect from the opening 1812 km race and the entire season.

One of the most striking aspects is the weight comparison between Ferrari and its main rivals, Porsche and Toyota. While in 2024 the German manufacturers had an advantage in this area, the situation has now reversed: the Ferrari 499P will start with nearly 30 kg less than the Porsche 963 and Toyota GR010. Official data shows Ferrari at 1037 kg, Porsche at 1064 kg, and Toyota at 1065 kg, demonstrating that the Italian hypercar, at least on traditional circuits, may not be as dominant as some might think.

Interestingly, the Toyota GR010, now entering its fifth season in the endurance world championship, remains the heaviest car on the grid, highlighting the quality of both the project and the team managing it. Porsche also enters with strong credentials, having refined the 963 in 2024 and now aiming for confirmation. Despite a significant weight increase, the 963 could be the favorite at Losail, thanks to its superior ability to manage graining, a common issue on the Qatari track.

Ferrari will undoubtedly be more competitive than in the past, particularly in qualifying, but it remains to be seen whether the 499P has resolved its tire degradation issues, a persistent weak point. BMW is also worth watching after showing progress at Daytona, though it will have to prove its capabilities on smoother tracks compared to those in the U.S. Sharing the same 1037 kg weight as Ferrari, BMW holds a slight power advantage, with 505 kW compared to Ferrari’s 501 kW.

Alpine is gearing up for its second WEC season and could be one of 2025’s surprises. The Oreca chassis is a guarantee of reliability, as are the team and drivers. After a season of steady improvement in 2024, aside from a few technical issues, the A424 could make an impact, weighing in at 1043 kg, making it the third-heaviest hypercar on the grid.

Cadillac returns with support from Jota, an experienced and successful team, but it remains to be seen whether the V-Series will finally establish itself in the endurance world championship. With a minimum weight of 1030 kg and a power output of 503 kW, their technical package appears competitive. The situation is more delicate for Peugeot, which may be facing its last chance with the 9X8 project. Without concrete results, Stellantis might decide to shut down the program, as a replacement for the current LMH seems unlikely. The 9X8 enters with a weight of 1031 kg and 520 kW of power.

Finally, the Aston Martin Valkyrie will make its debut, drawing considerable attention. Expectations are moderate, as this will be a learning year, but a few top-10 finishes, possibly benefiting from rival retirements, would already be a solid achievement. As is customary for debuting cars, the FIA has taken a cautious approach with the BoP: 1042 kg in weight and 504 kW in power.

With testing just around the corner, the 2025 endurance world championship promises thrilling battles and fierce competition. The track will be the ultimate judge, and only time will reveal which teams have found the perfect formula for success.

© Simone Marchetti Cavalieri