The FIA WEC has released its provisional entry list for 2025 season of Hypercar and LMGT3 classes, as Lamborghini explains its pause.
WEC –
Off the back of a hugely successful first season dovetailing its headlining Hypercar category with the new LMGT3 class, FIA WEC is set to go from strength-to-strength in 2025, with a freshly-revealed, high-calibre 36-strong entry. No fewer than 13 big-name brands are featured across the two classes. That includes 12 returnees – in the shape of Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota – and an exciting new addition, as Mercedes-AMG joins FIA WEC in a partnership with podium-finishing Italian LMGT3 outfit, Iron Lynx.
In a similar vein, Aston Martin has increased its commitment to the championship by adding a Hypercar squad to its existing LMGT3 entries. Defending Hypercar Manufacturer champion TOYOTA GAZOO Racing – the most decorated team in the 12-year history of the world’s premier endurance racing series – is back in its quest to secure yet more silverware, as is Porsche Penske Motorsport, which in 2024 clinched the Drivers’ crown with its #6 963.
Ferrari AF Corse – winner of the most recent two editions of Le Mans – will endeavour to add world championship glory to its résumé with its pair of works scarlet 499P Hypercars. Cadillac doubles up to a two-car effort in partnership with Hertz Team JOTA, as fellow Hypercar contenders Alpine, BMW and Peugeot strive to maintain the encouraging progress they made last season. The FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams will be disputed between privateers AF Corse and Proton Competition.
Aston Martin will be bidding to conquer the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright for the first time since 1959 with its striking new Valkyrie Hypercar – two of which will go into battle season-long – while Mercedes-AMG’s forthcoming FIA WEC debut means the three-pointed star will return to La Sarthe following an absence of more than two-and-a-half decades. Further big news in LMGT3, meanwhile, is a collaboration between reigning title-holder Manthey Racing and Deborah Mayer’s pioneering Iron Dames project, which will see FIA WEC’s only all-female driving crew aiming to improve upon their second-place championship finish from 2023.
Frédéric Lequien, FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) CEO, said: “We are delighted to present next year’s FIA WEC entry list. This proves the success of the path we have taken with Hypercar and LMGT3, and demonstrates the value that major brands and private teams get from competing in the championship. Building upon a wonderfully entertaining 2024 campaign, we strongly believe consistency is the key to continued growth – and that is reflected in both the 2025 calendar and grid.”
Pierre Fillon, Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) President, said: “The 2024 season gave us an extraordinary line-up of competitors, and 2025 is set to usher in another thrilling chapter in endurance history. With the arrival of more iconic names in both Hypercar and LMGT3, the championship continues to raise the bar, confirming the enduring appeal of our discipline. These newcomers will join some of endurance racing’s leading lights on the grid, so we can expect plenty of nail-biting excitement and unforgettable on-track action. We couldn’t be more excited!”
Richard Mille, FIA Endurance Commission President, said: “The announcement of the entry list is always a pivotal moment, marking the true beginning of the next season. With 13 manufacturers across the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes, the 2025 FIA WEC line-up is exceptionally strong, offering further proof that we are fortunate to be witnessing what is arguably a golden era of endurance racing.
“We are particularly thrilled to see Aston Martin stepping up to the very pinnacle of our sport, and to see Mercedes-AMG joining the fold. With these two iconic names further bolstering the competition, all the ingredients are in place for another fascinating season. This entry list also reflects the successful collaboration between the FIA and the team behind the promotion of the FIA World Endurance Championship.”
Here’s the list: https://storage.googleapis.com/fiawec-prod/assets/ressources/2024/2025_FIA_WEC_Season_Provisional%20Entry%20List_v1.pdf
Lamborghini –
Automobili Lamborghini has announced that it will pause its FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) sporting programmes at the end of the current season both in the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes. Having made its debut in the FIA WEC earlier this year, Lamborghini came through a challenging and rewarding maiden season with the Lamborghini SC63 LMDh prototype, achieving a breakthrough top 10 finish at the Le Mans 24 Hours, entering the Hyperpole session at Fuji for the first time and achieving a podium finish in LMGT3 at Spa-Francorchamps.
Competing at the highest level is an honour for Lamborghini Squadra Corse and remains an ambition for the years to come. The change in the FIA WEC sporting regulations which now also mandates brands to field two cars in the Hypercar class from 2025 also changes the terms on which Lamborghini entered the championship this year and is no longer aligned with the company’s strategy. Lamborghini has therefore evaluated its options and elected to sit out the 2025 FIA WEC while remaining committed to the SC63 development by continuing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the United States.
The pause in the FIA WEC programme also allows Lamborghini Squadra Corse to focus efforts on the development of the new Temerario GT3 throughout the year, with the former set to be formally unveiled after completing outdoor testing during 2025. Lamborghini Squadra Corse would like to express its thanks to both the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and the FIA for the opportunity to compete in the golden age for sportscar racing and for their support throughout the 2024 season.
F2 –
Rodin Motorsport is thrilled to announce that Italian racer Leonardo Fornaroli will be stepping in for Zane Maloney and driving for their FIA Formula 2 team during the Abu Dhabi race weekend. The move for Fornaroli, the 2024 FIA Formula Three Champion, see him make his highly anticipated Formula 2 debut.
Fornaroli’s 2024 journey has been marked by an impressive FIA Formula 3 season, where his remarkable consistency earned him the championship title. Throughout the season, the 19-year-old showcased his talent by securing seven podium finishes and scoring points in all but two races.
Joining the Rodin Motorsport team for the final round of the season, Fornaroli will race alongside Ritomo Miyata, taking over from Maloney, who is set to begin his Formula E season in Brazil. This scheduling conflict prevents Maloney from participating in the final round of the F2 season, paving the way for Fornaroli’s debut.
Expressing his excitement, Fornaroli said, “I’m very grateful to be able to do the last round of the F2 Championship with Rodin Motorsport, who are such a good team in the series. It will be a big challenge for me because this is my first time in the F2 car without any practice, so I have a lot to learn. But I can’t wait for it, and I’m looking forward to being behind the wheel in Abu Dhabi.”
Maloney, reflecting on his time with the team, added, “I wish Leo a great weekend in Abu Dhabi. I will miss working with the Rodin Motorsport team and look forward to seeing their success in the future! But we still have one more weekend in Qatar to look ahead to and finish off our season strongly.”
Team Manager Benn Huntingford said, “It’s great to welcome Leo to the team for the final round of the season. It’s going to be a step up for him, but we’ve seen what he can do in Formula 3, and we’re confident he’ll adapt quickly and perform well. Obviously, we still have one more round in Qatar to look forward to with Zane on board before he begins his Formula E season; we thank him for his contributions and wish him the best in his new venture.”
[The story is as per press release]