Ferrari AF Corse fended off a formidable challenge from Alpine to secure a commanding 1-2 victory at the Spa 6 Hours, marking their third straight win in the 2025 FIA WEC season.
The event contested before a record crowd of nearly 99,000 spectators was a showcase of strategic brilliance, relentless pace and dramatic on-track battles that kept fans enthralled from the opening lap to the final chequered flag.
The race weekend began with Ferrari asserting its authority in qualifying, locking out the top three positions in Hyperpole with the #50 Ferrari 499P Hypercar of Nicklas Nielsen, Antonio Fuoco and Miguel Molina starting 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps from pole.
The sister #51 car piloted by James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi lined up close behind setting the stage for an intra-team duel that would define the race’s narrative.
However, the path to Spa 6 Hours victory for the #51 crew was anything but straightforward. Their weekend was thrown into jeopardy during Thursday’s Free Practice 2 after Giovinazzi suffered a heavy crash at the top of Eau Rouge necessitating a major rebuild by the Ferrari mechanics.
As the race commenced under sunny skies, the #50 Ferrari led the opening two hours with Nielsen expertly managing the pace at the front.
The early stages saw the field settle into a rhythm but it was clear that Alpine with the #36 A424 LMDh driven by Mick Schumacher, Jules Gounon and Frédéric Makowiecki had the speed to challenge Ferrari’s supremacy.
Gounon in particular executed a well-timed undercut in the third hour, propelling the Alpine into the lead and raising the prospect of an upset.
The middle segment of the race was marked by strategic gambits and intense wheel-to-wheel action. A full course yellow (FCY) in the fourth hour provided a crucial opportunity for pit stops.
Ferrari AF Corse squad seized the moment, executing a rapid service that allowed both the #51 and #50 cars to leapfrog the Alpine reshuffling the order at the front.
This phase of the race also witnessed a thrilling three-way battle involving Pier Guidi in the #51 Ferrari, Schumacher in the Alpine and Robin Frijns in the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 captivating the crowd with daring overtakes and defensive maneuvers.
As the race entered its final two hours, the #51 Ferrari now in the hands of Pier Guidi found itself embroiled in a strategic duel with the #50 car. Fuoco having taken over from Nielsen briefly reclaimed the lead with an audacious move only for Pier Guidi to respond with a decisive pass that would ultimately prove critical.
The two Ferraris swapped positions multiple times, each pushing the limits in pursuit of victory while Schumacher remained a constant threat in the Alpine ready to capitalize on any misstep.
The final hour was a showcase of endurance racing at its finest. Ferrari’s tactical approach saw the #51 and #50 cars diverge in strategy: Pier Guidi in the #51 opted to push flat out, building a gap at the front but necessitating a late splash for fuel while Nielsen in the #50 conserved fuel in a bid to avoid an additional stop.
With just 12 minutes remaining Pier Guidi made his final stop, rejoining with a slender margin but enough to maintain the lead. Meanwhile, Nielsen came under intense pressure from Schumacher who had managed his own fuel strategy to perfection and was closing rapidly in the Alpine.
Despite the mounting tension, both Ferraris held their nerve with Pier Guidi crossing the line four seconds ahead of Nielsen, securing a memorable one-two Spa 6 Hours finish for the Italian marque.
The #36 Alpine’s third-place finish was a testament to the team’s pace and determination, marking their second consecutive podium after Imola. Schumacher’s final stint was particularly impressive as he relentlessly hunted down the #50 Ferrari but ultimately had to settle for the final step on the podium.
Meanwhile, Toyota Gazoo Racing demonstrated their trademark resilience with the #8 GR010 Hybrid of Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa charging through the field after starting from 15th and 16th on the grid to finish a commendable fourth.
The #7 Toyota driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries also fought back to secure seventh place, reflecting the team’s ability to salvage strong results even when on the back foot.
Cadillac’s Jota-run factory entries delivered a solid performance with the #12 V-Series.R of Alex Lynn, Norman Nato and Will Stevens finishing fifth, closely followed by the #38 car shared by Jenson Button, Earl Bamber and Sébastien Bourdais.
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BMW’s challenge spearheaded by the #20 M Hybrid V8 of Robin Frijns and René Rast was one of the stories of the race. The car led for the better part of the race but their hopes were dashed in the final hour by a brake issue that forced retirement – a bitter blow after such a promising display.
The #15 BMW driven by Kevin Magnussen and Raffaele Marciello endured a difficult race, hampered by two drive-through penalties that relegated them to tenth and the final championship point.
Peugeot’s campaign also ended in disappointment despite moments of promise. The #93 Peugeot 9X8, with Jean-Eric Vergne and Paul di Resta briefly led after a bold fuel strategy but the timing of a safety car intervention negated their advantage.
Both Peugeot entries ultimately dropped out of contention in the closing stages, unable to convert their early speed into a strong result.
In the LMGT3 category, Ferrari celebrated further success as the #21 296 GT3 of François Heriau, Simon Mann and Alessio Rovera overcame an early penalty to claim Spa 6 Hours LMGT3 class honours.
Their victory capped a remarkable day for the Prancing Horse, who not only extended their unbeaten streak in the 2025 FIA WEC but also strengthened their lead in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ championships.
