Corvette Conquers Qatar Securing First FIA WEC Win for the Z06 GT3.R

Yahoo

01-03-2025

TF Sport and Chevrolet have done it. The Corvette Z06 GT3.R has officially conquered the FIA World Endurance Championship, claiming its first-ever series victory in a Qatar 1812Km battle. Behind the wheel of the No. 33 Corvette, Daniel Juncadella, Jonny Edgar, and Ben Keating pulled off a spectacular comeback, storming from 13th on the grid to take the checkered flag by less than half a second.
This wasn't just any win—it was a statement. Corvette Racing's new GT3 challenger had already flexed its muscles by taking the GTD class victory at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, and now it's added an FIA WEC trophy to its rapidly growing collection. For Juncadella and Edgar, it marked their first triumph in both the WEC and a Corvette, while Keating, ever the endurance racing veteran, notched his eighth WEC win—four of those now with America's favorite sports car.
Keating set the stage with a charge from 13th to sixth in the opening three hours, shaking off any rust from his time away since winning the 2023 GTE Am title. Edgar then took the baton, making his WEC debut and pushing the 'Vette further up the order as the sun set over Lusail. Juncadella carried the team into the class lead past the halfway mark, and from there, it was all about holding off the chasing pack.
With 90 minutes to go, Juncadella strapped back in for the final run, making a strategic stop for fuel and left-side tires while the second-place McLaren opted for a full set of fresh rubber. The result? A white-knuckle final 30 minutes of nose-to-tail racing, with Juncadella fending off relentless pressure while slicing through faster traffic like a seasoned fighter pilot dodging missiles.
Meanwhile, things weren't as rosy for the No. 81 Corvette, which suffered a heartbreaking mechanical failure just an hour into the race. But let's not dwell on that—this day belonged to the No. 33.
Over in the Hypercar class, Ferrari's AF Corse squad locked out the podium in a dramatic 1-2-3 finish, with Antonio Fuoco holding off Robert Kubica to take the win in the No. 83 Ferrari 499P. BMW, Toyota, and Cadillac all had flashes of brilliance, but Ferrari's trio proved too strong.
Back in LMGT3, Juncadella's heroics weren't just about surviving; they were about thriving. He withstood relentless attacks from McLaren's Grégoire Saucy in the dying moments of the race, sealing Corvette's second win of 2025 in as many major endurance events.
'Looking at my heart rate, I think I was 35bpm higher in the last stint than in the first one, so that tells you pretty much everything!' Juncadella quipped post-race. 'We were hoping for a solid start to the season, maybe a top five, but winning? That's something else.'
The Corvette Z06 GT3.R has officially arrived in the FIA WEC, and it's not just here to make up the numbers. Next stop: the 6 Hours of Imola, where the 'Vette will look to keep the momentum rolling.