6 hours of Fuji: Porsche and Cadillac hunting

There’s not long to go until the penultimate 6 hours of Fuji round of the WEC (FIA World Endurance Championship), set to take place from September 26 to 28, 2025. The location? One of the most stunning backdrops of the season — at the foot of Mount Fuji.

The circuit lies at the base of the iconic Mount Fuji, around 100 km southwest of Tokyo. Located at an altitude of roughly 500 meters above sea level, it doesn’t significantly affect power unit performance, as the air isn’t yet thin enough to impact engine output. However, the unique microclimate of the region—shaped by the vast green areas surrounding the track—can lead to sudden and persistent rain showers.

The track measures 4.563 km in length, with 16 corners (6 left, 10 right) and features one of the longest main straights on the calendar at approximately 1.475 km. It’s fundamentally a fast circuit with very high top speeds, while the middle sector includes high-speed corners. This means that teams must carefully balance aerodynamic setup, ensuring enough downforce without sacrificing straight-line speed.

WEC 6 Hours of Fuji 2024 edition

Porsche pulled off a brilliant feat by winning last year’s Fuji WEC edition, claiming the top step of the podium with Kévin Estre, André Lotterer, and Laurens Vanthoor. The German manufacturer, with its 963 prototype powered by a Turbo V8 engine, delivered a flawless race execution, securing a solid victory after completing 213 laps without a single misstep.

Right behind them, BMW M Team WRT came close to pulling off a surprise. The trio of Raffaele Marciello, Dries Vanthoor, and Marco Wittmann finished just 16 seconds behind after six hours of racing, showcasing how much the German prototype had progressed throughout the previous season. For 2026, it’s worth noting that BMW has introduced significant updates to the Bmw V8 Hybrid

Great celebrations also for Alpine, which with the A424 finally secured its first podium on the 6 hours of Fuji. Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxivière, and Mick Schumacher (earning his first podium in the endurance world championship) managed the pace well and defended against late attacks, finishing third with a 42-second gap. This was an important result for the French team, which needed confirmation after a difficult start.

2025 WEC Constructors’ Championship Standings

The WEC 6 Hours of Fuji race will see some shifts in team dynamics as the season nears its end. The Balance of Performance (BoP) has recently favored Porsche and Cadillac, who are chasing a leading Ferrari at the top of the constructors’ standings. However, looking back at last year’s race, the Italian team struggled to find the right setup on this circuit, resulting in a disappointing P9. On the other hand, Ferrari’s focus in these final two races is to maintain its significant advantage and avoid mistakes to clinch the 2025 constructors’ title.

Ferrari firmly leads the championship with 203 points before Mount Fuji race. The Prancing Horse is enjoying a solid and consistent season, capitalizing on every opportunity with strong points scored in nearly every race, backed by a team that has rapidly grown in the Hypercar category. Bonus points for pole positions (+1 point) have made a difference in a championship where every detail counts.

Porsche is chasing Ferrari in second place with 138 points, paying the price for some lackluster races and inconsistent results. If they manage to maintain the pace shown in the last round at Austin with all their cars, they could put real pressure on the Maranello-based team.

The other challengers

Cadillac, with 134 points, remains close behind the leaders. The American manufacturer has shown solidity and progress, proving to be a strong contender at the front. Their consistency could play a key role in the season finale.

Toyota is further behind at 99 points despite great efforts and the “home advantage” of the upcoming round at Fuji. The Japanese team, multiple-time WEC champions, has struggled to keep up with the competitiveness of their European rivals. Aston Martin, with just two points, is showing signs of promise with a new car that occasionally flashes competitiveness in this fiercely contested championship.

Mount Fuji 6h 26/28 semptember