Click for more.
Ferrari at Spa finished first and second as the #51 passed under the chequered flag just four seconds ahead of the sister #50 Ferrari prototype. This was ironic or exciting as Antonio Giovinazzi crashed at the crest of Eau Rouge on his first lap out of the pits during Thursday’s FP2 session. The World Endurance Cup said a record crowd of ~ 100,000 showed up in the 14th running of the Belgium endurance race. (read AutoInformed.com on Spa-Francorchamps – LeMans Dress Rehearsal this Weekend)* James Calado drove the opening Ferrari stint, which he dubbed as conservative in order to take care of the tires. Giovinazzi drove the second stint without inducing serious damage. Pier Guidi drove the remainder of the race.
However, BMW’s Robin Frijns and Alpine’s Mick Schumacher provided some tough bare-knuckled challenges in the penultimate hour. Three safety car deployments and numerous yellow flags put a premium on strategy if it was delivered by flawless driving and pit crew performance. It also drew some grumblings from team managers. (Full Results and Standings click here.)*
In the end strategy made the difference. By taking on less fuel, the #51 Ferrari jumped past the fast #50 car (the pole position-winner), which led most of the race laps – during the next pit-stop window. The short-fueling scheme meant it would have to stop again. However by the time it did, Pier Guidi had built up enough of a margin to retain the lead and win. Onward to Le Mans in June.**
The Porsche Penske Motorsport factory team saw the best-placed Porsche 963 hybrid prototype shared by Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor and Pascal Wehrlein finish in ninth place. The sister car driven by Michael Christensen, Julien Andlauer and Nico Müller finished twelfth. In the LMGT3 class, the two Porsche 911 GT3 R racer cars fielded by Manthey 1st Phorm and the Iron Dames team collected world championship points.
“That was another disappointing result for us and not what we expected,” concluded Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “The team put in another good effort, even if we may not have done everything perfectly. Still, the drivers and the crew fought until the very end, and I want to thank them very much for that. Quite simply, we need to acknowledge that the conditions for a better result weren’t there. As always, we will analyze why, especially since the 24 Hours of Le Mans is up next. But I think there is also a massive need for action outside of our organization. The race speaks for itself.”
Ferrari beats Ford in LMGT3
Ford versus Ferrari repeated itself in the LMGT3 category. Ferrari Won. During the early hours, Lexus looked strong as Arnold Robin created an advantage of ten seconds in the pole-sitting Akkodis ASP Team RC F LMGT3. However, a slow pit-stop for the Japanese sportscar hurt it and the #78 squad never recovered. This meant that VISTA AF Corse and Proton Competition were fighting for first place. After reaching the front of the field, the #21 Ferrari 296 LMGT3, driven by Alessio Rovera, François Heriau and Simon Mann, claimed a first victory of 2025. Less than three seconds encompassed the #88 Ford Mustang, #54 Ferrari and #77 Mustang in the scrap for the runner-up spot, while Aston Martin’s bid was ultimately undone by incidents and unfortunate safety car interventions.
The Iron Dames also made a strong start to the race. Célia Martin quickly swept from 13th on the grid into the top ten. After the first fuel stop, the French driver was running in seventh. With teammates Rahel Frey of Switzerland and Denmark’s Michelle Gatting, Martin even briefly challenged for the lead. The team’s Porsche 911 GT3 R ultimately finished tenth, earning the Iron Dames their first world championship point of the 2025 WEC season.
*Spa 2025 WEC Race Result Excerpts
Hypercar class
- Pier Guidi/Calado/Giovinazzi (ITA/GBR/ITA), Ferrari #51, 150 laps
- Fuoco/Molina/Nielsen (ITA/ESP/DNK), Ferrari #50, +4.229 seconds
- Gounon/Makowiecki/Schumacher (FRA/FRA/DEU), Alpine #36, +5.148 seconds
- Estre/Vanthoor/Wehrlein (FRA/BEL/DEU), Porsche 963 #6, +1.01.871 minutes
- Andlauer/Christensen/Müller (FRA/DNK/SUI), Porsche 963 #5, +1.27.554 minutes
- DNF Jani/Pino/Varrone (SUI/CHL/ARG), Porsche 963 #99, 22 laps
LMGT3 class
- Heriau/Mann/Rovera (FRA/USA/ITA), Ferrari #21, 137 laps
- Gattuso/Levorato/Olsen (ITA/ITA/NOR), Ford #88, +40.230 seconds
- Flohr/Castellacci/Rigon (SUI/ITA/ITA), Ferrari #54, +42.104 seconds
- Hardwick/Lietz/Pera (USA/AUT/ITA), Porsche 911 GT3 R #92, +1 lap
- Frey/Gatting/Martin (SUI/DNK/FRA), Porsche 911 GT3 R #85, +1 lap
**AutoInformed on
***Toyota’s 40 years of competition in the Le Mans 24 Hours will be celebrated with a “unique combination of livery designs” on its two GR010 Hybrids. One celebrates an iconic race car of the past, while the other captures its present fighting spirit, and both are determined to challenge for victory in the 93rd Le Mans 24 Hours on 14-15 June.
- “The #7 GR010 Hybrid of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries will carry a red and white livery inspired by the TS020 which participated in 1998 and 1999. The TS020 , also known as the GT-One, charmed fans with its aerodynamic curves, and attracted a whole new generation to Le Mans through its starring role in the first edition of the Gran Turismo video game. Its distinctive red and white livery has been re-imagined for the 2025-specification #7 GR010 Hybrid. A red base color is given a “dynamic edge by jagged white flashes which speed over the car from front to back and make an unmistakable connection to the TS020.
- “The matt black livery of the #8 GR010 Hybrid driven by Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa – represents the present,” Toyota said after SPA.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
WEC Spa – Ferrari One-Two. Alpine Third in Hypercar
Click for more.
Ferrari at Spa finished first and second as the #51 passed under the chequered flag just four seconds ahead of the sister #50 Ferrari prototype. This was ironic or exciting as Antonio Giovinazzi crashed at the crest of Eau Rouge on his first lap out of the pits during Thursday’s FP2 session. The World Endurance Cup said a record crowd of ~ 100,000 showed up in the 14th running of the Belgium endurance race. (read AutoInformed.com on Spa-Francorchamps – LeMans Dress Rehearsal this Weekend)* James Calado drove the opening Ferrari stint, which he dubbed as conservative in order to take care of the tires. Giovinazzi drove the second stint without inducing serious damage. Pier Guidi drove the remainder of the race.
However, BMW’s Robin Frijns and Alpine’s Mick Schumacher provided some tough bare-knuckled challenges in the penultimate hour. Three safety car deployments and numerous yellow flags put a premium on strategy if it was delivered by flawless driving and pit crew performance. It also drew some grumblings from team managers. (Full Results and Standings click here.)*
In the end strategy made the difference. By taking on less fuel, the #51 Ferrari jumped past the fast #50 car (the pole position-winner), which led most of the race laps – during the next pit-stop window. The short-fueling scheme meant it would have to stop again. However by the time it did, Pier Guidi had built up enough of a margin to retain the lead and win. Onward to Le Mans in June.**
The Porsche Penske Motorsport factory team saw the best-placed Porsche 963 hybrid prototype shared by Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor and Pascal Wehrlein finish in ninth place. The sister car driven by Michael Christensen, Julien Andlauer and Nico Müller finished twelfth. In the LMGT3 class, the two Porsche 911 GT3 R racer cars fielded by Manthey 1st Phorm and the Iron Dames team collected world championship points.
“That was another disappointing result for us and not what we expected,” concluded Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “The team put in another good effort, even if we may not have done everything perfectly. Still, the drivers and the crew fought until the very end, and I want to thank them very much for that. Quite simply, we need to acknowledge that the conditions for a better result weren’t there. As always, we will analyze why, especially since the 24 Hours of Le Mans is up next. But I think there is also a massive need for action outside of our organization. The race speaks for itself.”
Ferrari beats Ford in LMGT3
Ford versus Ferrari repeated itself in the LMGT3 category. Ferrari Won. During the early hours, Lexus looked strong as Arnold Robin created an advantage of ten seconds in the pole-sitting Akkodis ASP Team RC F LMGT3. However, a slow pit-stop for the Japanese sportscar hurt it and the #78 squad never recovered. This meant that VISTA AF Corse and Proton Competition were fighting for first place. After reaching the front of the field, the #21 Ferrari 296 LMGT3, driven by Alessio Rovera, François Heriau and Simon Mann, claimed a first victory of 2025. Less than three seconds encompassed the #88 Ford Mustang, #54 Ferrari and #77 Mustang in the scrap for the runner-up spot, while Aston Martin’s bid was ultimately undone by incidents and unfortunate safety car interventions.
The Iron Dames also made a strong start to the race. Célia Martin quickly swept from 13th on the grid into the top ten. After the first fuel stop, the French driver was running in seventh. With teammates Rahel Frey of Switzerland and Denmark’s Michelle Gatting, Martin even briefly challenged for the lead. The team’s Porsche 911 GT3 R ultimately finished tenth, earning the Iron Dames their first world championship point of the 2025 WEC season.
*Spa 2025 WEC Race Result Excerpts
Hypercar class
LMGT3 class
**AutoInformed on
***Toyota’s 40 years of competition in the Le Mans 24 Hours will be celebrated with a “unique combination of livery designs” on its two GR010 Hybrids. One celebrates an iconic race car of the past, while the other captures its present fighting spirit, and both are determined to challenge for victory in the 93rd Le Mans 24 Hours on 14-15 June.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.