The 2025 World Cup has gotten off to a fantastic start for Spanish drivers, thanks to Miguel Molina and Dani Juncadella’s historic double win in Qatar. Molina, behind the wheel of his Ferrari in the LM Hypercar category, and Juncadella, driving for Corvette in LMGT3, made their mark on the 1,812 kilometers of Qatar, the first appointment of the WEC.
Molina, along with his teammates Fuoco and Nielsen, were the fair winners of a grueling 10-hour race. Their prototype, the 499P #50, proved to be the fastest and most consistent, making no mistakes and maintaining a narrow lead over the other two Ferraris. This victory not only earns them the top spot but also makes them the leaders of the World Cup.
The Italian prototypes dominated the race, with their triplet formation a testament to their performance. They took advantage of Cadillac’s misfortune, which self-eliminated in the third hour due to an unusual double collision between Button and Lynn. This mishap handed Ferrari the opportunity to take control, and they did so with precision.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Ferrari. BMW did pose some challenge, although not enough to threaten the Italians. Toyota also showed better performance than expected but still fell short. The real battle was among the three Ferraris, particularly between #50 and #83, driven by Kubica, Ye, and Hanson. The team orders to prioritize the official car didn’t sit well with Kubica, but ultimately, #50’s better energy management secured its lead.
In a surprising turn of events, the final fight was intense among the Ferrari trio. Despite Ferrari’s intention to secure a safe result, the fraternal fight was fierce, especially with Guidi ignoring orders and pushing Kubica. This internal competition made the race even more thrilling.
On the other hand, Porsche, the current champions, disappointed with their performance, finishing 10th and 11th, even behind a Peugeot. Aston Martin’s Valkyrie premiere was also underwhelming in terms of competitiveness, although it impressed with its sound. The Spanish driver, Álex Riberas, managed to complete the debut race with the #009 car, albeit far from the lead and experiencing some teething problems, including a detached car door.
In the LMGT3 category, Dani Juncadella gave Spain another reason to celebrate with his epic victory in the Corvette #33. The race was intense, especially in the last half hour, with the McLaren of Grégoire Saucy hot on his heels. Juncadella’s victory, alongside his teammates Keating and Edgar, was a promising start to the season, indicating that he has a competitive car and team to contest the title.
The next race of the World Cup is scheduled for April 20 in Italy, a six-hour race that could favor Ferrari, given their performance last year. This upcoming event promises to be just as thrilling, with Ferrari looking to continue their dominance and other teams aiming to close the gap.