Ferrari clinches triple crown in Bahrain: Strategy, stamina and shifting hierarchies define WEC finale

 

At the season finale in Bahrain, Ferrari sealed the Hypercar Manufacturers’ Championship. On top of that they also won the Hypercar Drivers’ Championship with the #51 crew: Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi. The privateer’s trophy, awarded to the top non-factory entry through consistent performance across the AF Corse satellite team. This marks Ferrari’s first top class endurance title in 53 years, a milestone achieved in just their third season back in hypercar competition.

Despite early pressure from Porsche and Cadillac, Ferrari’s race craft and pit strategy proved decisive. The #50 Ferrari 499P driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen, executed a flawless final stint securing third place in which they secured third place locking in the championship points needed for the title. Porsche and Cadillac struggled with Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments which limited their ability to challenge Ferrari’s pace.

Akkodis ASP’s Lexus #87 won the LMGT3 class in Bahrain, showcasing strong pace and reliability. However, Ferrari’s LMGT3 program fielding the 296 GT3 secured the overall LMGT3 demonstrating depth and consistency across the season. Porsche’s Manthey team also performed strongly finishing the season with a podium and pushing Ferrari until the final round.

Ferrari – 245 points	Pier Guidi, Giovinazzi & Calado – 133 points
Toyota – 171 points	Hanson, Kubica & Ye – 117 points
Porsche – 165 points	Fuoco, Molina & Nielsen – 98 points
Cadillac – 158 points	Estre & Vanthoor – 94 points
BMW – 87 points	Lynn, Nato & Stevens – 93 points

Toyota Gazoo Racing delivered a commanding 1-2 finish at the Bahrain finale with the #7 GR010 hybrid leading home the #8 by 19.3 seconds. The team controlled the race from the front showcasing strong pace over single laps and long stints, especially on the abrasive Sakhir surface. This win marked Toyota’s first victory of the 2025 season ending a barren stretch plagued by BoP frustrations. Technical director David Floury admitted relief, saying: “Glad to see the back of the season,” while highlighting the team’s plans for major aerodynamic update in 2026.

Porsche showed competitive pace in free practice but their race unravelled due to high tyre degradation, especially in the second and third stints. Traffic mismanagement which disrupted rhythm and pit strategy. The #6 Porsche Penske 963 failed to score points eliminating its slim title hoped and capping a season of near misses. BoP adjustments also Porsche with the heaviest car on the grid further compromising race pace.

Cadillac entered Bahrain with mathematical title chances but fell out of contention by hour six. The #12 V-Series.R struggled with setup mismatched in qualifying and race trim. Inconsistent pace over long stints, especially in cooler night conditions. Despite making it to hyperpole, the team couldn’t convert its early promise into podium contention.

The 5.412km Sakhir circuit challenged teams with high ambient temperatures early in the race, stressing cooling systems and forcing conservative engine modes. Heavy brake wear, especially in turns one, 10 and 14 requiring careful management over long stints. Tyre strategy that evolved with the light shift teams balanced degradation in the heat with grip gains under floodlights. The day day to night format amplified driver fatigue with concentration tested during the final hours under artificial lighting.

Post race rookie test featured several standout names, Sacha Fenestraz drove Toyota’s GR010 hybrid impressing with consistency and feedback. Kelvin van der Linde tested BMW’s M hybrid V8 showcasing pace adaptability. Other notable participants included Charles Weerts, Ben Barnicoats and Nick Cassidy. The test offered teams a glimpse into 2026 driver line ups with several rookies tipped for full season seats.

The event drew packed grandstands with strong local turnout and international fans celebrating Ferrari’s triple title win. Broadcast coverage spanned: FIA WEC TV, Eurosport, Motorsport.tv in addition to regional partners in the Middle East and Latin America. Bahrain’s finale is now considered one of the most commercially vital stops on the WEC calendar, rivalling Le Mans and Spa in visibility as well as fan engagement.

📸 Imagery courtesy of FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC)