On May 10, 2025, the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit played host to the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 6 Hours of Spa, delivering a spectacular showcase of speed, strategy, and stamina. With nearly 100,000 passionate fans lining the iconic Ardennes track, the race unfolded into a gripping battle that ultimately cemented Ferrari’s dominance in the 2025 season.
The Race Unfolds: Ferrari Sets the Pace
From the outset, Ferrari stamped its authority on the race weekend. After locking out the top three spots in qualifying, the factory Ferrari 499P Hypercars started at the front of the grid. The No. 51 car, piloted by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, immediately took control, with their sister No. 50 entry close behind. The Ferraris set a blistering pace, fending off early challenges and establishing themselves as the favorites.
A Safety Car Shakes Up the Field
The race’s complexion dramatically shifted with just under two hours remaining when the No. 59 United Autosports McLaren crashed, prompting a safety car period. This neutralization bunched up the tightly packed Hypercar field and transformed what had been a straightforward race into a strategic chess match. Fuel management suddenly became paramount as teams recalculated their plans for the closing stages.
Alpine’s Bold Charge and Unfortunate Setback
The No. 36 Alpine A424, driven by Mick Schumacher, Frédéric Makowiecki, and Jules Gounon, emerged as Ferrari’s fiercest competitor. Alpine had been leading at the halfway mark and looked poised to challenge for victory. However, fate intervened when Schumacher suffered a slow puncture late in the race, forcing an unscheduled pit stop that cost precious seconds and allowed Ferrari to regain the initiative.
The Final Fuel Gamble
In the tense final hour, the race turned into a nail-biting fuel mileage contest. The No. 51 Ferrari needed a late splash-and-dash pit stop with just 12 minutes remaining. Yet, a timely full-course yellow period helped Pier Guidi maintain his lead despite the stop. Behind him, the No. 50 Ferrari and Alpine fought fiercely, with less than six seconds separating the top three cars as they crossed the finish line.
Toyota’s Resilient Recovery
Starting from a challenging 15th on the grid, the No. 8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid team of Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa executed a masterful recovery. Through smart pit strategy and consistent pace, they avoided a late fuel stop and climbed to a respectable fourth place, ensuring all eight Hypercar manufacturers finished on the lead lap in a testament to the field’s competitiveness.
Ferrari’s Triumph and Looking Ahead
The race concluded with a thrilling one-two finish for Ferrari, as the No. 51 car took victory just 4.2 seconds ahead of the No. 50. Alpine’s No. 36 completed the podium, less than a second behind the second Ferrari, underscoring the razor-thin margins that defined the day.
In the LMGT3 category, Ferrari also celebrated success with the No. 21 Ferrari 296 GT3 from Vista AF Corse overcoming early adversity to claim class victory.
As the championship heads toward the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, Ferrari’s commanding performance at Spa sets the stage for an exhilarating season.
