The World Endurance Championship finally kicks off its 2026 season after a delay due to geopolitical issues. The Prologue, recently held at Imola, showcased a stunning performance from Ferrari, which achieved two triples during the testing sessions. Facing fierce competition, the prancing horse brand is set on defending its titles from last year.
A Season Marked by Changes
The WEC’s 14th edition starts under unique circumstances. The Hypercar category, bolstered by the arrival of new competitors like Genesis Magma Racing, faces notable absences, including Porsche. The South Korean manufacturer is fielding two GMR-001 prototypes with renowned drivers such as Andre Lotterer and Luis Felipe “Pipo” Derani. Meanwhile, Ferrari, the two-time defending champion, prepares to confront sharper opposition than ever, with revamped Hypercars like Toyota’s TR010 Hybrid and BMW‘s M Hybrid V8.
Session 1 – Ferrari Starts Strong
The Prologue opened under light rain at the Imola circuit. The conditions were tricky, but that didn’t stop Ferrari from shining. Right from the start, the AF Corse No. 83 driven by Robert Kubica took the lead with a time of 1:42.524. The hierarchy became clearer as the track improved. Alessandro Pier Guidi’s Ferrari No. 51 quickly took charge, before the Ferrari No. 50 clocked an impressive time of 1:40.048.
Yellow flags punctuated the session, notably due to off-track incidents involving Alpine and a Mercedes. Despite these interruptions, it was the Ferrari 499P No. 51 that finished with the best time of 1:31.586, ahead of its teammates. The Alpine A524 and Peugeot 9X8 also managed to secure spots among the top contenders.
The Alpine A424 No. 36 driven by Jules Gounon, Frederic Makowiecki, and Victor Martins.
Session 2 – Ferrari Maintains Dominance
The second session took place on a dry track, allowing drivers to push their limits. Antonio Giovinazzi quickly took the lead with a time of 1:31.845, leaving the rest of the field trailing by over five tenths. Ferraris No. 50 and No. 51 continued to extend their gap, while No. 83 slipped in between them.
The Italian trio established a clear dominance on the circuit, leaving other competitors far behind. The two Alpines and Peugeot No. 94 battled for the remaining top 6 positions. However, several red flags interrupted this session, mainly due to minor accidents and an electrical issue reported by the FIA.
AF Corse 499P No. 83 driven by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Philip Hanson.
French Teams Lurking
On the French side, the Alpine Endurance Team and Peugeot TotalEnergies showed promising signs throughout the tests. The Alpine A524 and Peugeot 9X8 frequently made it into the top 3 despite fierce competition. Alpine hopes to conclude its WEC journey on a positive note before its planned withdrawal at the end of the season, while Peugeot aims to capitalize on the progress made last year.
In the LMGT3 category, Ferrari again stood out with the 296 LMGT3 Evo No. 21 posting the best time of the morning. Logan Sargeant also made his endurance debut with the Ford Mustang Proton Competition No. 88.
Heading Towards the 6 Hours of Imola
With these impressive performances during the Prologue, Ferrari emerges as the frontrunner for the upcoming 6 Hours of Imola. The competition promises to be tighter than ever, with rivals ready to strike hard from the start. Teams must refine their strategies and optimize their setups before this crucial opening round.
In Summary
- Ferrari dominates testing with two triples.
- Genesis Magma Racing makes its championship debut.
- Competitors like Toyota and BMW are sharper than ever.
- French teams show signs of competitiveness.
- The upcoming 6 Hours of Imola promises excitement.
