Ferrari at Fuji: the 499P hunting for crucial points in the penultimate WEC round
The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship enters a decisive stage with the penultimate round: the 6 Hours of Fuji. On Sunday, September 28, at the track at the foot of Mount Fuji, a crucial battle for the championship standings will unfold. Ferrari will line up with three 499P Hypercars: the two official cars from the Ferrari – AF Corse team, #50 and #51, and the #83 run by the private AF Corse squad.
The objective is clear: to collect valuable points at a time when every result can impact both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships. After returning to the podium in the Austin race, confidence is high, but the team is fully aware of the challenges that Fuji presents.
The voice of Ferrari drivers
Antonio Fuoco, driving the 499P #50, highlighted the importance of the recent result at the Circuit of the Americas three weeks ago:
“We returned to the podium, which gave us both morale and valuable points. We arrive at Fuji determined to remain competitive, but we know this track can be difficult for us, as previous years have shown.”
His teammate Miguel Molina, also in the #50, emphasized how every detail counts in this crucial phase of the season:
“Every point is vital, both for Ferrari in the championship fight and for our crew in the Drivers’ standings. Fuji has a special value for me: in 2017 I achieved my first WEC victory here with the 488 GTE. We will aim to take advantage of every opportunity.”
Finally, Nicklas Nielsen analyzed the unique characteristics of the Japanese circuit:
“Fuji has an extremely long straight, but also very technical sectors with corners of different types. Managing traffic with the GT cars and paying attention to the weather, which can change suddenly in Japan, will be essential. All these factors can determine the outcome of the race.”
The track
The Fuji Speedway, inaugurated in 1965 and 4.563 km long, is one of the most iconic circuits on the WEC calendar. Its most notable feature is the 1.5 km main straight—the longest in the championship—which puts both engines and aerodynamics to the test. This contrasts with technical sections featuring variable-radius corners, heavy braking zones, and guided passages that demand precision and mechanical stability.
For Hypercars, finding the right balance between top speed and cornering grip is a delicate challenge. Additionally, the weather remains a constant variable: sudden rain and fog have historically altered the course of races multiple times.
The stakes
With the championship approaching its final stages, Ferrari cannot afford mistakes. Every point collected at Fuji will be critical ahead of the final round. In Japan, the 499P seeks confirmation and consistency.
The return to the podium in Austin provided encouraging signs, but the battle with Toyota, Porsche, and Cadillac promises to be intense. In Fuji, Ferrari must demonstrate its ability to combine speed, reliability, and strategy.
A must-watch event
The 6 Hours of Fuji will start on Sunday, September 28 at 11:00 local time (04:00 Central European Standard Time). For Ferrari, it will be a race to approach with both heart and mind, where careful management of variables could make the difference.
For fans and the team alike, the hope is that the Scuderia can confirm the progress seen in the United States and head into the final round of the championship with genuine chances to finish the season on an upward trajectory.
At Fuji, history meets passion: between the call of the sacred mountain and the roar of engines, Ferrari goes in search of a result that could weigh as heavily as an entire season.
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