The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship roared into action at the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari for the 6 Hours of Imola, with the first free practice session (FP1) setting the stage for an exhilarating weekend. Ferrari continued its dominant form, with Robert Kubica leading the Hypercar class, while Augusto Farfus topped the LMGT3 category. Despite damp conditions, the session offered a wealth of insights into team performance, driver skill, and strategic tyre choices. Let’s break down the data from FP1 and explore the key moments that shaped the session.

Hypercar: Ferrari’s Grip Tightens

Kubica’s Late Charge

Robert Kubica, piloting the #83 AF Corse Ferrari, set the benchmark with a blistering 1:32.065 on his final flying lap. This time, recorded in the closing moments as the track dried, showcased Ferrari’s ability to capitalize on improving conditions. The Polish driver’s lap was 0.236 seconds quicker than teammate Antonio Fuoco in the #50 Ferrari AF Corse 499P Hypercar, who clocked a 1:32.301. Fuoco, who secured pole at Imola in 2024, remained a formidable force, hinting at Ferrari’s depth in the Hypercar field.

Cadillac and Alpine in Pursuit

The #12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R, driven by Alex Lynn, secured third with a best lap of 1:33.289, trailing Kubica by roughly 1.2 seconds. The #51 AF Corse Ferrari and #38 Cadillac rounded out the top five, with times of 1:33.447 and 1:33.693, respectively. Notably, the #36 Alpine Endurance Team A424, with Mick Schumacher posting a 1:33.804, claimed sixth. Schumacher’s performance underlines Alpine’s potential, especially with a driver lineup including Jules Gounon and Frédéric Makowiecki.

Strategic Tyre Choices

The session began on wet-weather Michelin tyres due to damp conditions, with most teams switching to slicks around the 30-minute mark as the track dried. This transition was critical, as evidenced by the significant lap time improvements in the final 15 minutes. For instance, Kubica’s fastest lap came on slicks, with sector times of 18.865s (S1), 30.178s (S2), and 43.022s (S3), reflecting optimal grip. The data suggests teams that timed their switch to slicks effectively gained a competitive edge, a factor that could influence race strategy given the allocation of medium and soft tyres for Hypercars, potentially allowing triple-stinting.

Interesting Fact: Peugeot’s Late Surge

An intriguing highlight from the data is the performance of the #93 Peugeot TotalEnergies Hypercar, driven by Jean-Eric Vergne. While Peugeot didn’t crack the top five, Vergne’s lap of 1:33.875 on lap 43 was the fastest for the team, with a remarkable S1 time of 19.080s—one of the quickest sector times of the session. This suggests Peugeot may have untapped pace, particularly in the first sector, which could make them a dark horse in qualifying or the race if conditions stabilize.

LMGT3: Farfus and BMW Steal the Show

Farfus Sets the Pace

In the LMGT3 class, Augusto Farfus delivered a standout performance in the #31 Team WRT BMW M4 LMGT3 EVO, posting a 1:43.330 to top the timesheets. His lap, set in fully dry conditions, edged out the #78 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus RC F LMGT3, driven by Esteban Masson, by a mere 0.093 seconds (1:43.423). Farfus’s consistency was evident, with sector times of 21.792s (S1), 33.845s (S2), and 48.343s (S3) on his fastest lap, showcasing the BMW’s balance across Imola’s challenging layout.

Lexus and Rossi’s BMW Close Behind

Masson, standing in for the injured Ben Barnicoat, impressed in the #78 Lexus, with a best lap that included a rapid 21.885s in S1. The #46 Team WRT BMW, featuring Valentino Rossi, took third with a 1:43.585, just 0.255 seconds off Farfus’s pace. The top six was completed by the #21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari (1:43.927), the #87 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus (1:44.073), and the #92 Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche (1:44.624), which showed signs of recovery after a difficult Qatar round.

Sector Analysis: Where Races Are Won

The LMGT3 data reveals the importance of sector performance at Imola. Farfus’s fastest lap included the quickest S2 time in the class (33.845s), indicating superior mid-corner speed through Imola’s technical middle sector. Conversely, the #78 Lexus excelled in S1, suggesting strong braking and turn-in performance. Teams will likely focus on optimizing sector-specific setups for qualifying, as small gains in each sector can translate to significant overall lap time improvements.

Unexpected Highlight: McLaren’s Quiet Strength

A surprising performer in LMGT3 was the #95 United Autosports McLaren, driven by Sean Gelael. While finishing outside the top six with a best lap of 1:44.624, Gelael’s lap 39 featured an S1 time of 21.932s and an S3 time of 48.476s, both among the fastest in the class. This suggests the McLaren has the potential for a strong showing if the team can string together a clean lap in qualifying.

Key Observations and Race Implications

Driver Consistency

The data highlights the consistency of top performers. In Hypercar, Kubica’s lap times improved steadily, with his fastest lap on lap 24 marking a 2-second improvement (LAP_IMPROVEMENT=2) across all sectors. Similarly, Farfus’s LMGT3 lap on lap 13 showed improvements in S2 and S3, reflecting his ability to extract the maximum from the BMW as conditions improved. Consistency will be crucial in the 6-hour race, where tyre management and strategic pit stops could decide the podium.

Impact of Conditions

The damp-to-dry transition in FP1 tested teams’ adaptability. The data shows a clear correlation between lap time improvements and the switch to slick tyres, with Hypercar times dropping from around 1:50s early in the session to the low 1:30s by the end. Teams like Ferrari, which optimized their tyre strategy, gained a significant advantage. Sunday’s race forecast will be critical, as variable conditions could amplify the importance of strategic decisions.

Pit Stops and Race Strategy

Pit stop data provides insight into race preparedness. For example, the #007 Aston Martin Thor Team Hypercar recorded a pit time of 9:26.901 on lap 10, one of the longest in the session, likely indicating a driver change or setup adjustments. In contrast, quicker pit stops, like the #009’s 1:10.311 on lap 15, suggest teams are refining their efficiency. With the potential for triple-stinting tyres, teams that streamline pit operations could gain a strategic edge.

Conclusion

The FP1 session at Imola showcased Ferrari’s early dominance in Hypercar, with Kubica and Fuoco setting a high bar, while Farfus and Team WRT led the LMGT3 charge. The data reveals a session defined by strategic tyre switches, sector-specific strengths, and standout performances from unexpected quarters like Peugeot and McLaren. As teams analyze this data ahead of qualifying and the race, the focus will be on optimizing setups for Imola’s demanding layout and preparing for potential weather shifts. With 36 entries and 13 manufacturers, the 6 Hours of Imola promises a thrilling battle, and FP1 has set the tone for a fiercely competitive weekend.

Stay tuned for more updates as the 2025 FIA WEC season unfolds at Imola!