Fuji -WECs 100th

Fuji Speedway

WEC’s Fuji Return: Title Showdown Under Mount Fuji

In late September, the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) returns to Japan for its penultimate round: the 6 Hours of Fuji (26–28 September). This year’s visit carries extra weight — not least because it is the 100th WEC race since the championship’s rebirth in 2012. (FIA)

What to Expect

Championship Stakes High

With just one race left after Fuji, several titles are still in the balance. Ferrari currently leads the Manufacturers’ standings and the Drivers’ standings thanks to strong showings from their 499P entries, but rivals Porsche and Toyota aren’t out of contention. (Ferrari)

A strong performance in Japan could make or break title hopes — both for manufacturers and crews. The pressure will be intense, especially at Toyota’s “home” circuit, where local pride is on the line. (FIA)

The Track as Arbiter

Fuji Speedway is deceptively demanding. The lap is relatively short for WEC standards — 4.563 km with 16 corners — yet its 1.475 km main straight is among the longest in sportscar racing, enabling hypercars to stretch their legs and reach top speeds north of 330 km/h. (FIA)

That combination of long straights and tight corners means setup is a compromise: teams must balance low drag for top speed with sufficient downforce for cornering stability. Traffic, tire wear, and fuel strategy will all play critical roles. Also, weather in the Fuji foothills can be variable — rain or changing track conditions may tip the balance.

Fuji Speedway: A Storied Legacy

Fuji’s history in endurance, national motorsport, and international racing runs deep:

• The circuit was originally conceived as a fully banked high-speed oval before being converted into a road course — a transformation that allowed it to host its first F1 race in 1976. (FIA)

• When WEC began in 2012, Fuji was on the calendar from the start, and it’s become one of the Anchors of the series. (FIA)

• Toyota has dominated the WEC’s visits to Fuji: of the 11 races held there so far, Toyota has won nine. (FIA)

• In earlier eras, the venue hosted endurance classics like the 1000 km and 24 hr races, with Toyota’s own sports cars (e.g. the 2000GT, Toyota 7) regularly battling there. (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)

• The 2025 race marks an emotional milestone: the “100th WEC race at Fuji” in the sense of the WEC’s history, celebrated by many in the paddock. (FIA World Endurance Championship)

For Japanese fans, Fuji is more than a racetrack — it’s an icon, set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Fuji itself.

Porsche Penske 2024 Fuji

Last Year’s Winner & Recent Form

In 2024, Porsche Penske Motorsport took the top step in Fuji. Laurens Vanthoor, André Lotterer, and Kévin Estre executed a clean, disciplined 6‑hour run to win overall. (Porsche Newsroom)

In the same event, the Vista AF Corse squad also claimed their first FIA WEC victory in the LMGT3 class with their Ferrari 296 LMGT3. (Endurance Info)

Toyota came in as favorite historically but was stung by penalties and circumstances — notably, a late penalty hindered their #8 car after a strong run. (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)

Teams & Drivers to Watch

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Currently under pressure, Toyota will view Fuji as a must‑redeem weekend. Their record here is stellar (nine wins in 11 visits) and they will be desperate to break their streak without a podium this season. (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)The #8 crew in particular (led by Sébastien Buemi, a multiple Fuji winner) will have eyes on redemption. (FIA)

Ferrari / AF Corse

Ferrari goes into the race leading both key standings. The #50 and #51 cars (Piloted by lineups like Pier Guidi / Calado / Giovinazzi) are in strong form. A clean 6 hours could seal or seriously tilt the titles in their favor. (Ferrari)

Porsche Penske

After winning Fuji in 2024, Porsche is aiming to replicate that success. Their season has shown flashes of brilliance, and in Fuji — where outright speed is rewarded — they could again emerge as serious contenders. (Porsche Newsroom)

Other contenders

– Privateers and customer teams in Hypercar (like JOTA, Alpine) may lurk for surprise results.– In GT, expect close battles in LMGT3 with Ferrari, Porsche, and other marques vying for class honors. (Endurance Info)– Proton Competition, which has been a constant presence in WEC history (competing in every WEC race since 2012), will certainly be under the spotlight in GT or support categories. (Proton Competition)

Here’s an expanded preview with driver predictions, lap‑time estimates, and a class‑by‑class outlook for the 6 Hours of Fuji:

Lap Time Estimates & Race Pace

Because Fuji is relatively short for WEC standards (4.563 km) but has a very long straight (1.475 km) to exploit top speed, lap times tend to cluster tightly. (FIA)

• In qualifying, Hypercars might approach 1:25 to 1:27 region (depending on track conditions, tire compound, and aero balance).

• Race laps (in traffic, with fuel loads) might slip into the 1:29 to 1:32 window, especially in stints after pit stops or during full-course cautions.

• In GT / LMGT3, laps are likely in the 1:38 to 1:45 band depending on car model, balance, and track grip evolution.

• Because Fuji’s long straight rewards low drag, cars with strong top‑end performance may gain 2–3 s per lap over more aero-dependent rivals on that section, but may lose time in the twistier middle sector.

Over six hours, factoring in safety cars, traffic, pit stops and possible changing conditions, the winning average pace might settle to something equivalent to mid‑to‑high 1:30s overall.

Driver Predictions & Key Matchups

Here’s my take on who will thrive (or struggle) at Fuji, and what could make the difference:

Hypercar Class

Top favourites:

1. #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport (Kévin Estre / Laurens Vanthoor / André Lotterer)

   • They won Fuji in 2024 and have taken victories this season ensuring momentum. (Car Racing Reporter)

   • Their trio is well balanced: Vanthoor has shown strong starts, Estre provides consistency, and Lotterer brings big‑race experience.

   • Prediction: they’ll be in the fight for pole, and barring issues, a podium or win is on the table.

2. Toyota Gazoo Racing – especially the #8 (Sébastien Buemi et al.)

   • Buemi is the most successful driver at Fuji (four wins). Fuji is essentially a “home” circuit. (FIA WEC)

   • They’ll push to redeem a rocky season; even if they don’t have outright top speed, strategy, traffic management and reliability could elevate them.

3. Ferrari / AF Corse (#50, #51 etc.)

   • With the championship lead leaning their way, they may adopt more conservative tactics, but have shown capable pace.

   • If they can manage their stints, avoid mistakes and make up time in traffic, they could be dark-horse winners.

4. BMW M Team WRT

   • With their strong driver roster (Sheldon van der Linde, Dries Vanthoor, etc.) they could surprise, especially if their car setup finds a sweet spot in low-drag mode. (Endurance Info)

   • But consistency and reliability will be key, as Fuji demands both speed and robustness.

Outsiders / wildcards:

• Peugeot – they’ve shown flashes of competitiveness in other rounds, though matching pace over six hours is harder.

• Cadillac / privateer entries – may not fight for overall win but could disrupt strategy windows or pick up podiums if the big names falter.

• Privateer Porsche / customer entries – opportunistic but likely limited by resources or minor reliability gaps.

Driver matchups to watch:

• Buemi in Toyota vs. Vanthoor in Porsche: a head-to-head that could define the race pace early.

• The BMW pairing vs. factory squads: can BMW extract an edge in qualifying and then maintain it across stints?

• Ferrari’s drivers (Calado / Pier Guidi / Giovinazzi / Molina / Nielsen etc.) must minimize errors under pressure.

Class‑by‑Class Breakdown & Projections

Below is my best estimate of how each class will play out and who the main protagonists will be.

Class	Key Teams / Drivers	Expected Performance & Notes
Hypercar (overall & top class)	Porsche, Toyota, Ferrari, BMW, Peugeot, Cadillac	The fight will likely come down to those top 3–4, with Porsche and Toyota as favourites for outright pace, Ferrari aiming for consistency, BMW hoping to upset the balance. Strategy and clean stints will decide more than raw lap times.
LMGT3	Ferrari (AF Corse / Vista), Porsche customer teams, Aston Martin, BMW, Lexus	Expect very tight battles. The GT cars will suffer more in traffic, so track position and pit timing will be key. The Ferrari 296 LMGT3 entry that won last year’s GT class will again be one to watch. (FIA)
Privateer / Customer entries	Smaller teams in Hypercar or GT3, or “garage” entries	Their aim will be to finish, pick up class points, and perhaps capitalize on misfortune among frontrunners. Lower probability of outright glory, but often the source of surprise podiums when others falter.

In GT3, I expect multiple lead changes, especially in the mid-stints once traffic gets thick. Some GT entries might run different tire compounds or split strategies (long stints vs aggressive mid stints) to play the gamble.

Final Word

The 6 Hours of Fuji is shaping up to be a crucible for championship dreams. Between Ferrari’s lead, Porsche’s threat, and Toyota’s home-circuit redemption story, the race could produce drama, heartbreak, and glory in equal measure. If the weather, strategy, and reliability all line up, we may very well witness a defining moment in the 2025 WEC season — under the shadow of Japan’s most famous peak.

Let me know if you want driver-by-driver predictions, lap-time estimates, or class-by-class breakdowns.