Here is my traditional pictorial summary, in 25 chapters, of the year 2025 at my ‘home racetrack’: Le Castellet in France, also known as Circuit Paul Ricard. As usual, I had the opportunity to cover a wide range of events, from GT racing to prototypes and single-seaters, both in contemporary and historic competitions.
My guiding principle in motorsport photography is to rely on a classic foundation, with close attention paid to composition and light, across a variety of subjects: on-track action, the paddock, and the pit lane. When it comes to the basics of image composition, I draw in part on my years of learning in painting (you never stop learning in painting). I also pay particular attention – sometimes perhaps too much – to panning shots on track, aiming to convey a strong sense of speed while keeping the subject sharp. This often leads me to push shutter speeds lower and to spend looooong hours trackside. I am a hard worker, far from a genius, but with patience, a very low success rate can often be turned into the desired result.
This approach is far less straightforward in the pit lane, where inspiration, improvisation, and spontaneity are essential. I believe this is the true challenge of becoming a motorsport photographer: capturing the atmosphere of fleeting moments and the human activity surrounding motorsport, while momentarily ‘forgetting’ technical considerations. I will try to continue moving in this direction in 2026.
Header photo:
International GT Open at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/8 | 1/1000 | ISO 200 | 24 mm
I chose this picture as the cover because it brings together an unusual perspective, strong composition, and an ideally placed flash of colour emerging from a neutral yet graphical background – exactly the kind of combination a photographer is always looking for.
GT World Challenge Europe Official Tests at Le Castelle
Nikon D7100 | ƒ/7,1 | 1/640 sec. | ISO 400 | 27 mm
In the overall grey atmosphere of a threatening sky (a rare situation in Provence!), the dramatic angle stands out, while the silhouettes of the mechanics reflected on the ground add another strong and satisfying element to the image. Saintéloc Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II (Ricci / Evrard / Magnus).
GT World Challenge Europe Official Tests at Le Castellet
Nikon D7100 | ƒ/4 | 1/125 | 20 mm | 250 ISO
Charlie Fagg – Optimum Motorsport McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, just before the start of a practice session. The environment surrounding the driver in a modern GT3 car makes me think of the cramped, cluttered cockpit of an astronaut.
GT World Challenge Europe 6h of Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/5,6 | 1/80 | ISO 1600 | 130 mm
In the mood for incandescent braking – like that of this Garage 59 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo (Prette / MacDonald / Smalley) at the entrance to the ‘S de la Verrerie’.
GT World Challenge Europe 6h of Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/8 | 1/1000 sec. | ISO 200 | 75 mm
I had the opportunity to shoot a nice family picture for GRT (Grasser Racing Team, Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2). In June, the #63 (Bortolotti / Pepper / Engstler) would go on to become the winners of the 24 Hours of Spa.
Grand Prix de France Historique at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/5 | 1/80 sec. | ISO 400 | 200 mm
‘The look’! Elan Panoz DP09 Superleague 2008 (Jérémy Clavaud).
Grand Prix de France Historique at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/11 |1/80 sec. | ISO 100 | 140 mm
‘The Beast’! Jaguar XJR-9 (Brown / Dean). Born as an XJR-8, chassis J12C-187 scored six podium finishes (including three wins) in 1987 with John Watson and Jan Lammers at the wheel. In 1988, the car was upgraded to full XJR-9 specification and added three more podiums to its record. With its 750 hp V12 sounding loud and clear, it is a pure legend. Note the driver – and current owner – Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren F1.
Grand Prix de France Historique at Le Castellet
Nikon D7100 | ƒ/8 | 1/1250 sec. | ISO 200 | 17 mm
The stars – cars and VIPs alike – were on track. Among the guests at this year’s Grand Prix de France Historique were Charles Leclerc, F1 team principals Fred Vasseur and Zak Brown, and a host of illustrious drivers: Jacques Villeneuve, Alain Prost, Jean Alesi, René Arnoux, Philippe Alliot, David Coulthard, Mark Webber, Daniil Kvyat, Jan Magnussen, Thierry Boutsen, Stefan Johansson, and Franck Montagny. Triple 24 Hours of Le Mans winners André Lotterer and Marcel Fässler were also present.
It was a true dream cast for a nostalgic blockbuster at Le Castellet, delivering intense visual and auditory sensations – none more so than when Franck Montagny unleashed the V10 Renault R25 down the Mistral Straight. Jean Alesi gave Charles Leclerc an unforgettable ride in one of just three Ferrari 330 P4s ever built, Jacques Villeneuve took the wheel of his father Gilles’ Ferrari F1, and Alain Prost rediscovered the raw sensations of his 1987 McLaren turbo engine.
Grand Prix de France Historique at Le Castellet
Nikon D7100 | ƒ/7,1 | 1/640 sec. | ISO 200 | 17 mm
On the grid of the Group C race. I like this image as it illustrates the contrast between the driver’s concentration inside his dark cocoon (Marcel Fässler, three-time Le Mans winner – Porsche 962C, 1990) and the effervescence of the crowd bathed in light during the grid walk.
24h Series at Le Castellet
Nikon D7100 | ƒ/10 | 1/640 sec. | ISO 250 | 82 mm
A wild animal having a rest in the pitlane: Haas RT Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II (Guelinckx / Guelinckx / Machiels).
24h Series at Le Castellet
Nikon D7100 | ƒ/8 |1/800 sec. | ISO 250 | 82 mm
Saintéloc Junior Team Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II (Erhart / Chatelet). Don’t get it wrong: these two drivers are not fighting, but congratulating each other at the end of a strong qualifying session. On the left, Philippe Chatelet is wearing a brand-new Amato Design helmet with an aeronautical theme, featuring a tribute to the Dassault Rafale air display version on the top.
International GT Open at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/13 | 1/80 sec. | ISO 100 | 130 mm
The McLaren 720S GT3 Evo is my favourite GT3 (Greystone GT – Macdonald / Kell). I also like the composition of this image, which is structured in horizontal layers, with the blurred upper section creating a strong sense of speed. In the lower part, I deliberately included the guardrail to add another layer – and, miraculously, it is framed perfectly between two poles that do not interfere with the horizontal logic. No picture is perfect, of course, but this one matched exactly what I set out to achieve.
International GT Open at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/8 | 1/1000 sec. | ISO 200 | 24 mm
‘The Wave’, an evocation of Hokusai’s famous painting – the Vimana by GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo (Ameerh Naran). Some teams genuinely strive to create inventive and classy liveries.
International GT Open at Le Castellet
Nikon D7100 | ƒ/8 |1/1000 sec. | ISO 200 | 400 mm
A curiosity: an Icelandic GT3 team with a 100% Icelandic line-up – Team Thor Porsche 911 GT3 R (Gudmundsson / Gissurarson)!
International GT Open (GT Cup Europe) at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/8 | 1/640 sec. | ISO 200 | 82 mm
Trying to capture the atmosphere of a well-orchestrated ballet: a driver change during the pit stop of the Q1 Trackracing Porsche 992 GT3 Cup (Nicolas Vandierendonck / Nathan Brauns), with the full perspective of the pit lane in the background.
International GT Open (GT Cup Europe) at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/8 | 1/1000 sec. | ISO 200 | 58 mm
A good parking spot for the AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 (Bennett / Mosca), winners of the second race of the International GT Open. It was a great opportunity for an unusual backstage photo, taken from the corridor leading to the podium.
European Le Mans Series at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/8 | 1/640 sec. | ISO 320 | 24 mm
‘Resting after the race’… Two perfect alignments of prototypes and GT cars in parc fermé, located directly on the track. The 2025 ELMS round at Le Castellet produced a remarkable result, with women leading the way: overall victory for Jamie Chadwick and a GT win for Lilou Wadoux.
Peter Auto Dix Mille Tours at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/8 | 1/1000 sec. | ISO 200 | 75 mm
No problem making a good shot when, alone in the pits, you are facing such a legendary car in beautiful light! And the driver’s helmet – Jacky Ickx’s touch – is the killer detail. Ferrari 312 PB / 1972 – chassis 0886 (‘Mr John of B’)
Peter Auto Dix Mille Tours at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/13 | 1/80 sec. | ISO 100 | 160 mm
Here, I’m pleased with the rendering of speed – and for good reason. We are on the 1.85 km Mistral Straight, without the chicane, and the Porsche 962C (1990) – chassis RLR-201 of Philip Kadoorie – is running so fast that achieving a successful panning shot here is no easy task.
Peter Auto Dix Mille Tours at Le Castellet
Nikon D7100 | ƒ/8 | 1/1250 sec. | ISO 200 | 400 mm
No technical prowess or brilliant idea on my part here; it is the subject itself that gives this image all its interest: the mighty Porsche 917K (1970) – chassis 033 – driven by ‘Mr John of B’. Yes indeed, it is the same driver and owner as the Ferrari 312 PB, two pictures earlier! This chassis served as a spare for the JWA Gulf team in 1970 and 1971, before being converted into a ‘Spyder’ version for the Interserie – although it never actually raced.
Peter Auto Dix Mille Tours at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/13 | 1/80 sec. | ISO 100 | 160 mm
‘Le pilote sans visage’ (literally ‘the driver without a face’) is the title of a famous Michel Vaillant comic. In the story, a mysterious anonymous driver – whose face is never revealed until the end – seriously challenges star driver Michel Vaillant at the wheel of an equally mysterious, all-black Formula 1 car.
Here, the car is not black, and the secret is unfortunately revealed, as the driver’s name is written on the bodywork. At the wheel of this March 74S (1974) – chassis 74S/6 – is Jacques Nicolet, a well-known businessman in motorsport (and beyond), and a true gentleman driver with nine starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
GT FFSA finals at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/8 | 1/1000 sec. | ISO 200 | 75 mm
‘Yellow harmony’: a tribute to the marshals contribution to motorsports.
Mclaren Trophy Europe at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/13 | 1/50 sec. | ISO 100 | 130 mm
I couldn’t help but include this picture, even if the light was not memorable. In my ongoing quest for lower shutter-speed panning shots, I managed to achieve some satisfyingly sharp results this year – like this one, taken at 1/50s.
Deux Tours d’Horloge at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/5.6 | 1/80 sec. | ISO 800 | 32 mm
Chateaux Sport Auto Chevron B16 (1971) (Chateaux / Chateaux / Sanjuan / Monnay). Once again at Le Castellet, in November, the world’s only 24-hour non-stop endurance race for historic cars made its return. This unique endurance concept, dedicated to historic vehicles, attracted 36 diverse line-ups representing 13 different countries.
Among a varied field of GTs, Touring Cars, and Sports Prototypes, the Chevron B16 stands out as one of the most beautiful prototypes of the 1970s. It is featured here in the evocative atmosphere of a night-time endurance race. Entering such a prototype today is a remarkable initiative, given all the inherent risks of a 24-hour race.
Deux Tours d’Horloge at Le Castellet
Nikon D750 | ƒ/7.1 | 1/200 sec. | ISO 320 | 110 mm
Classic Porsche 911 3.0 SC (1981) (Baert / Moreau / Morales). A ‘Best Of’ would not be complete without a sunset shot. Night is falling over the Paul Ricard circuit as this 911 passes by, wearing a famous rally livery – the B. Beguin Monte Carlo 1980 scheme, for the connoisseurs.
Explore more of our 25 Best photos of 2025 | Michael Jolley | Michal Pospisil | Davide Stori | Yann Séité | Daniele Paglino | Rick Kiewiet | Dom Vincent
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