Endurance Racing Teams 2025

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) has evolved into one of the most competitive and thrilling motorsport series on the planet. With eight major manufacturers battling in the premier Hypercar class and a field of 36 cars split evenly between Hypercar and LMGT3 categories, the level of competition has reached unprecedented heights. As the season progresses toward the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, certain teams have established themselves as the dominant forces in endurance racing. Here’s an in-depth look at the top five teams ruling the roost in 2025.

The 2025 WEC Championship: A New Era of Competition

The 2025 season marks the thirteenth running of the revived WEC championship and continues the golden era of endurance racing that began with the introduction of the Hypercar regulations. The calendar features eight gruelling rounds across iconic circuits worldwide:

1. Qatar 1812 Km (February 28) – The season opener at Lusail International Circuit
2. 6 Hours of Imola (March) – The challenging Italian circuit near Ferrari’s home
3. TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (May 10) – The traditional Le Mans warm-up
4. 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 14-15) – The crown jewel of endurance racing
5. 6 Hours of São Paulo (July) – Racing returns to Interlagos in Brazil
6. Lone Star Le Mans (September 5-7) – The American round at Circuit of The Americas
7. 6 Hours of Fuji (October) – Toyota’s home event in Japan
8. Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain (November) – The season finale

A significant rule change for 2025 requires manufacturers to field at least two cars in the Hypercar class, which has led to expanded factory programs from several teams. This, combined with the growing LMGT3 class (which replaced the former GTE categories), has created a packed and diverse grid of world-class competition.

1. Ferrari AF Corse: The Unstoppable Force

Ferrari has established an unprecedented level of dominance in the 2025 WEC season, winning all three races so far at Qatar, Imola, and most recently at Spa-Francorchamps. The Italian manufacturer’s 499P Le Mans Hypercar has proven to be the class of the field, with impeccable reliability and blistering pace at every circuit.

The Drivers

The #51 Ferrari crew has emerged as the team to beat with an all-star lineup:

• Alessandro Pier Guidi (Italy): A multiple-time GT world champion now thriving in Hypercar, known for his incredible defensive driving and ability to manage race strategy.
• James Calado (UK): Former GP2 star whose technical feedback and consistent pace make him a perfect endurance racer.
• Antonio Giovinazzi (Italy): Ex-Formula 1 driver with Alfa Romeo whose raw speed and aggression have translated beautifully to endurance racing.

Their sister car, the #50, is equally impressive with:

• Antonio Fuoco (Italy): Ferrari’s young protégé who has matured into one of the fastest drivers in the championship.
• Miguel Molina (Spain): Veteran GT specialist with exceptional race craft.
• Nicklas Nielsen (Denmark): Rising star who’s particularly skilled at fuel and tire management in critical race situations.

The customer #83 499P operated by AF Corse features:

• Robert Kubica (Poland): Former F1 race winner bringing his legendary technical knowledge.
• Yifei Ye (China): One of China’s most promising racing talents.
• Phil Hanson (UK): Experienced LMP2 champion who joined after a successful stint with Jota.

Dominance on Display

At Qatar’s season opener, the #50 crew dominated, while at Imola, the #51 took victory in a race featuring numerous safety car periods. Their masterpiece, however, may have been the recent Spa win, where despite a crash in practice that required significant repairs, the #51 car executed a perfect strategy, short-fueling for their penultimate stop to build a gap before a final splash with 12 minutes remaining.

The 499P has displayed overwhelming pace in qualifying, locking out the top three positions at Spa with Antonio Fuoco setting an unofficial Hypercar lap record of 1:59.653 – proving that Ferrari’s advantage extends across all aspects of performance.

With 136 points in the Manufacturers’ Championship (compared to Toyota’s 71) and the Pier Guidi-Calado-Giovinazzi trio leading the Drivers’ standings with 75 points, Ferrari could potentially lock up the championship by mid-season if their rivals cannot mount a serious challenge soon.

2. BMW M Team WRT: The Rising Contender

In just their second season in the Hypercar class, BMW M Team WRT has emerged as perhaps the strongest challenger to Ferrari’s dominance. The M Hybrid V8, which struggled for consistency in 2024, has been transformed into a genuine front-runner through a combination of technical developments and the operational excellence of the WRT team.

The Drivers

The Belgium-based WRT team operates two BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh prototypes with exceptional driver talent:

BMW #15:

• Dries Vanthoor (Belgium): The younger of the Vanthoor brothers, he’s built an impressive resume in GT racing before making a successful transition to Hypercar.
• Raffaele Marciello (Italy/Switzerland): Widely regarded as one of the fastest GT drivers in the world, “Lello” brings raw speed and consistency.
• Kevin Magnussen (Denmark): The former Haas F1 driver finally made his Hypercar debut this year after previously backing out of a Peugeot contract to return to Formula 1.

BMW #20:

• René Rast (Germany): Three-time DTM champion whose technical precision and adaptability make him a perfect endurance racer.
• Robin Frijns (Netherlands): Versatile talent who excels in mixed conditions, as demonstrated by his epic battles with Ferrari at Spa.
• Sheldon van der Linde (South Africa): BMW’s GT star whose absence at Spa (due to IMSA commitments) showed just how valuable he is to the team.

Circuit Strengths

At Qatar, the flowing nature of Lusail International Circuit seemed to suit the BMW’s aerodynamic package, with the #15 driven by Vanthoor, Marciello, and Magnussen delivering a breakthrough fourth-place finish. The team maintained this momentum at Imola, where they pushed the Ferraris hard throughout the race and came close to a podium finish despite the Italian circuit’s technical challenges.

Spa-Francorchamps, with its high-speed sections and elevation changes, proved particularly well-suited to the M Hybrid V8. Robin Frijns engaged in a thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle with Ferrari’s Alessandro Pier Guidi in the closing stages, including a heart-stopping moment through the daunting Eau Rouge-Raidillon complex where the two cars ran side-by-side at over 270 km/h. A late brake issue forced their retirement from contention, but BMW’s pace was undeniable.

The team benefits enormously from WRT’s operational excellence – a unit that dominated LMP2 racing for years before partnering with BMW for their Hypercar program. This combination of factory engineering and private team efficiency has created a formidable package that looks set to challenge for victories in the near future.

3. Alpine Endurance Team: The Strategic Masterminds

After a challenging debut season for their A424 LMDh car in 2024, Alpine has made remarkable progress in 2025, emerging as consistent podium contenders through a combination of strategic brilliance and improved car performance.

The Drivers

The French manufacturer fields two A424 LMDh cars with an intriguing mix of experience and youth:

Alpine #36:

• Mick Schumacher (Germany): Son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, he’s found a new racing home in endurance racing where his methodical approach and technical feedback have proven valuable.
• Paul-Loup Chatin (France): One of France’s top endurance specialists who returned to Alpine after previous success with the brand.
• Charles Milesi (France): LMP2 champion who has successfully made the step up to Hypercar with mature performances.

Alpine #35:

• Ferdinand Habsburg (Austria): Former LMP2 champion with WRT who brings aristocratic flair and genuine speed.
• Jules Gounon (France): Mercedes-AMG factory driver who splits duties between GT and prototype programs.
• Matthieu Vaxivière (France): Long-time Alpine driver whose experience has been crucial in developing the A424.

Strategic Excellence

The French team secured their breakthrough podium at Imola, a circuit where mechanical grip and precise driving are rewarded. The narrow, twisting nature of the former Formula 1 venue played to Alpine’s strengths, with the #36 crew executing a flawless race to secure third place behind the dominant Ferraris.

At Spa, Alpine’s improvement curve continued on an upward trajectory. The resurfaced Spa-Francorchamps circuit, with its mix of high and low-speed corners, suited the A424 perfectly. The car appeared to be “on rails” through the challenging Pouhon and Blanchimont sections, allowing Mick Schumacher to challenge for victory before a late puncture relegated them to another third-place finish.

Alpine’s leadership has been transformed by former driver Nicolas Lapierre, who retired from driving to become the team’s sporting director. His insight as a former Alpine racer has clearly been instrumental in their rapid improvement. The team’s attention to detail extends to their distinctive blue livery, which pays homage to classic Alpine racing colors while incorporating modern design elements that make the A424 one of the most visually striking cars on the grid.

With their car showing excellent pace on the flowing Spa circuit, Alpine could be perfectly positioned for the similar challenges of Le Mans, where their strategic prowess and improving reliability may yield significant dividends over the 24-hour duration.

4. Toyota Gazoo Racing: The Reigning Champions

Despite being the reigning Manufacturers’ Champions from 2024, Toyota has faced a challenging start to their 2025 campaign. The Japanese manufacturer’s GR010 Hybrid has struggled to match the pace of Ferrari, BMW, and occasionally Alpine, with Balance of Performance adjustments seemingly working against them.

The Drivers

Toyota maintains one of the most experienced and successful driver lineups in the field:

Toyota #7:

• Mike Conway (UK): Known for his raw speed and aggressive style, the British driver returned after missing Le Mans 2024 due to a cycling accident.
• Kamui Kobayashi (Japan): Team principal who continues to race, bringing spectacular pace and an uncanny ability to thread through traffic.
• Nyck de Vries (Netherlands): Former Formula E champion and ex-F1 driver who replaced José María López this season, bringing youth and fresh perspective.

Toyota #8:

• Sébastien Buemi (Switzerland): Multiple Le Mans winner and Formula E champion whose experience is invaluable.
• Brendon Hartley (New Zealand): Formula 1 veteran and multi-time Le Mans winner known for his technical expertise.
• Ryo Hirakawa (Japan): Japanese racing star who has integrated perfectly into the Toyota system with his meticulous approach.

Circuit Challenges and Adjustments

Toyota’s 2025 season has been defined by their struggles with the Balance of Performance (BoP) system. At Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit, with its high-speed sweeping corners, the team salvaged fifth and sixth places despite qualifying struggles. The desert venue, which replaced Sebring as the season opener, exposed the GR010 Hybrid’s lack of top-end performance under the revised BoP.

At Imola, the team made progress with setup changes that improved the car’s performance in the technical sections. The #8 car of Buemi, Hartley, and Hirakawa managed to fight for a podium position before settling for a strong points finish just off the podium.

The challenges continued at Spa, where the Toyota received another BoP hit, losing 20kW (25bhp) since Imola. Despite starting from a lowly 15th position after struggling in qualifying, the #8 crew executed a brilliant alternative strategy to climb to fourth place, showcasing the team’s ability to maximize results even when raw pace is missing.

For Le Mans, Toyota will be introducing a special red livery on the #7 car, celebrating the 40th anniversary of their participation at Circuit de la Sarthe and paying homage to the iconic GT-One (TS020) from 1998-1999. The Circuit de la Sarthe’s unique characteristics – with its mix of permanent racetrack and public roads, plus the famous Mulsanne Straight – might help neutralize some of Toyota’s BoP disadvantages, allowing their efficiency and reliability to shine over 24 hours.

5. Porsche Penske Motorsport: Former Champions Seeking Redemption

The 2024 Drivers’ Champions have endured a difficult start to their title defense, with the Porsche 963 LMDh struggling to match the pace of the frontrunners at all three races so far. After dominating the Qatar round in 2024, Porsche could only manage 10th and 11th places at the same venue this year, highlighting their unexpected fall from grace.

The Drivers

The legendary Porsche brand fields a revised driver lineup for 2025:

Porsche #5:

• Matt Campbell (Australia): GT specialist who has successfully transitioned to prototype racing.
• Michael Christensen (Denmark): Porsche factory driver with extensive experience across GT and prototype categories.
• Frédéric Makowiecki (France): Veteran driver who shifted from the Porsche lineup to Alpine, leaving a gap in the team.

Porsche #6:

• Kevin Estre (France): One of the fastest drivers in any machinery, known for his qualifying brilliance and aggressive race pace.
• Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium): Elder brother of BMW’s Dries Vanthoor, bringing consistent speed and racecraft.
• André Lotterer (Germany): Multi-time Le Mans winner whose experience is invaluable despite being dropped from full-time duties.

For selected races, including Le Mans, the team adds:

• Mathieu Jaminet (France): Porsche specialist who knows the 963 inside out.
• Pascal Wehrlein (Germany): Formula E star making selected WEC appearances.
• Nico Müller (Switzerland): Former DTM runner-up who joined Porsche after departing Peugeot.

Circuit Struggles and Development Focus

Porsche’s decline from 2024 dominance has been one of the mysteries of the 2025 season. At Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit, where they scored a commanding victory in 2024, both 963 LMDhs struggled with balance issues that affected their performance through the flowing sections that make up much of the 5.4 km track.

Imola offered some signs of improvement despite its challenging layout with minimal overtaking opportunities. Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell managed to secure eighth place in the #6 car, extracting the maximum from a package that was clearly not on par with the frontrunners. The narrow, bumpy nature of the Italian circuit highlighted the 963’s struggles with mechanical grip.

At Spa, both factory entries showed improved pace, particularly during practice sessions where Estre topped the timesheets in FP2 with a lap of 2:01.475. The undulating Ardennes circuit exposed both strengths and weaknesses of the 963 platform – strong in sectors requiring good downforce but struggling on the long Kemmel Straight where top speed deficiencies were apparent.

The team has received the largest weight break under the Balance of Performance adjustments ahead of recent races, with an 11kg reduction at Spa, though the cars still remain 20kg heavier than they were a year ago. This suggests that technical developments, rather than just BoP adjustments, will be needed to return to the front of the field.

With Le Mans approaching – a race where Porsche holds the record for overall victories with 19 – the development focus has shifted to optimizing their package for the unique demands of the 13.626 km Circuit de la Sarthe. The low-downforce configuration required for the high-speed sections, combined with the need for mechanical grip in the technical portions, presents a distinct engineering challenge that the combined expertise of Porsche and Team Penske is well-equipped to address.

The Circuit de la Sarthe: Stage for the Ultimate Test

As the 2025 WEC season approaches its crown jewel event the 93rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 14-15 – all teams are focusing their development and strategy on mastering the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe. This 13.626 km (8.467 mile) track presents unique challenges that can completely reshape the competitive order seen at other venues.

Circuit Characteristics

The Circuit de la Sarthe is unlike any other track on the WEC calendar:

• Mixed Surfaces: Combining permanent racetrack sections with public roads that are closed for the event.
• Mulsanne Straight: Despite being broken up by two chicanes since 1990, this 6 km straight still tests the absolute top speed and aerodynamic efficiency of the cars.
• Indianapolis and Arnage: This technical section requires perfect braking and acceleration after the high-speed run down Mulsanne.
• Porsche Curves: A flowing, high-speed section that tests aero stability and driver courage.
• Weather Variability: The race often experiences dramatically different conditions between day and night, with rain frequently playing a role.

These characteristics create a unique technical challenge. Cars must run in low-downforce configurations to maximize speed on the straights, yet still maintain enough downforce to handle the technical sections. This often reshuffles the competitive order seen at more conventional circuits.

The Le Mans Factor

Le Mans isn’t just about raw pace it’s a 24-hour test of reliability, strategy, and driver endurance that can completely transform the championship narrative:

• Reliability: With cars covering over 5,000 km during the race, mechanical robustness becomes as important as outright speed.
• Pit Strategy: The time spent in the pits often determines the outcome more than lap times.
• Night Driving: Nearly 8 hours of the race are run in complete darkness, putting a premium on drivers who excel in these conditions.
• Traffic Management: With 62 cars across multiple classes sharing the track, the ability to navigate traffic efficiently is crucial.

Ferrari enters as the clear favorite based on their dominance so far, but Le Mans has a way of upending expectations. BMW’s improving pace, Alpine’s strategic brilliance, Toyota’s unmatched experience, and Porsche’s determination to reclaim their crown all suggest that the French classic could deliver an upset.

Looking Beyond the Top Five

While the five teams profiled above have established themselves as the current elite, several other manufacturers are working hard to join the battle at the front:

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA

Now running under the Jota Sport banner after Chip Ganassi Racing’s departure, Cadillac’s V-Series.R LMDh prototypes have shown flashes of pace. The driver lineup includes F1 veteran Jenson Button, Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, and Sébastien Bourdais, providing a blend of experience and raw speed that could soon translate into podium finishes.

Peugeot TotalEnergies

The distinctive 9X8, which famously debuted without a rear wing before receiving a major redesign, continues to make progress. With drivers like Jean-Eric Vergne, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Malthe Jakobsen, the French brand has the talent to capitalize on their improving package.

Aston Martin THOR Team

The stunning Valkyrie Hypercar, developed by Multimatic and operated by The Heart of Racing (THOR), represents Aston Martin’s return to top-level prototype racing. Drivers Marco Sørensen, Harry Tincknell, Tom Gamble, and Alex Riberas are still learning the intricacies of the non-hybrid V12-powered machine, but its distinctive sound and striking aesthetics have already made it a fan favorite.

The 2025 Season: More Than Just Hypercar

While the Hypercar class takes the headlines, the LMGT3 category provides equally thrilling racing. The class features nine manufacturers (Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, McLaren, and Porsche) with professional and amateur drivers sharing cars.

At Spa, Vista AF Corse’s Ferrari 296 LMGT3 claimed victory, while Lexus scored its first pole position with the Akkodis ASP Team. The variety of machinery and driving talent ensures close competition throughout the field.

The 2025 endurance racing season has already delivered thrilling battles, strategic masterclasses, and wheel-to-wheel racing of the highest caliber. With Le Mans on the horizon and five more races to follow, the competition will only intensify as these world-class manufacturers fight for supremacy in motorsport’s most prestigious endurance championship.