Proton Competition gear up for start of FIA WEC season

The long wait is finally over! Proton Competition returns to competitive FIA WEC action for the first time in 2025 at the Qatar 1812 km. Once again, the team – which has been part of the world’s premier endurance racing series since its foundation – will be represented in both classes, with the #99 Porsche 963 battling it out for the race win in Hypercar and the #77 and #88 Ford Mustang competing in the LMGT3 category.

Proton Competition’s Hypercar contender features former FIA World Endurance Drivers’ Champion Neel Jani, who reprises his role from last year, alongside young guns Nicolás Pino and Nicolás Varrone. In LMGT3, Ben Barker, Bernardo Sousa and Ben Tuck will be sharing driving duties in the #77 Ford, and Dennis Olsen, Stefano Gattuso and Giammarco Levorato will be behind the wheel of the sister car.

The Qatar Prologue one week prior to the season-opener gave the team an opportunity to get in some valuable track time. The #99 Porsche 963 and #88 Ford Mustang GT3 completed over 2,000 kilometres of testing during the event, giving the squads a solid basis to dial in their set-ups ahead of the race. Despite a technical issue ruling the #77 out of testing on day two, the car will be ready for action when free practice kicks off on Wednesday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What’s going on this weekend? It’s the Qatar 1812 km, the first of eight rounds of the 2025 FIA WEC season.

Why 1812 km? The race takes its name from Qatar’s national day on 18 December and will conclude either after the winning car has completed 1,812 kilometres (336 laps) or after ten hours, whichever is sooner.

The When is possibly the most important detail for this year’s season-opener. The race takes place on the afternoon and evening of Friday 28 February. So, clear your diaries, take that well-earned afternoon off work and make sure you’re ready for the green flag at 14:00 (local time), midday in Germany.

That brings us on to Where you can catch all the action. The race will be broadcast live and in full on www.fiawec.tv as well as on Eurosport/discovery+.

Last but by no means least: Who to look out for this weekend? That’s an easy one! Proton Competition is starting its 14th season in the FIA WEC and has been an ever-present since the first race in 2012. Watch out for the #99 Porsche 963 in the classic FAT Turbo livery as well as the unmistakeable naturally aspirated V8 rumble of our #77 and #88 Ford Mustang LMGT3.

Wednesday, 26 February
11:30 – 13:00     Free Practice 1
16:50 – 18:20     Free Practice 2

Thursday, 27 February
12:00 – 13:00     Free Practice 3
17:00 – 17:12     Qualifying – LMGT3
17:20 – 17:30     Qualifying – Hyperpole LMGT3
17:40 – 17:52     Qualifying – Hypercar
18:00 – 18:10     Qualifying – Hyperpole Hypercar

Friday, 28 February
14:00 – 00:00     Race

* local

Photos for download:

All pictures are free for editorial use. Copyright: Proton Competition (Paola Depalmas)