WEC - Fuji

The 6 Hours of Fuji represents a major race in the FIA World Endurance Championship at Fuji International Speedway. Located in Oyama, Shizuoka, Japan, this endurance race brings together the fastest Hypercar and LMGT3 competitors for six hours of racing at one of Asia's premier circuits. The event showcases modern endurance racing technology against the backdrop of Mount Fuji, combining speed, strategy, and technical performance.

Fuji International Speedway Circuit Details

Fuji International Speedway sits at the foot of Mount Fuji, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. The circuit measures 4.563 kilometers in length and features 16 corners. The track holds FIA Grade 1 status and includes a 40-meter elevation change across its layout.

The main straight stretches 1.475 kilometers, making it one of the longest straights in motorsports. This straight allows Hypercar machines to reach maximum speeds before heavy braking for the first corner. The famous 100R corner presents a fast, sweeping right-hander that tests driver commitment and car balance. The combination of high-speed sections and technical corners creates varied challenges for teams.

Circuit History and Development

The circuit opened in December 1965 as a road course after original plans for a NASCAR-style oval track faced funding challenges. The venue hosted the first Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1976. Hermann Tilke redesigned the circuit in 2000, creating the current layout that balances speed with safety.

Fuji Speedway achieved a unique distinction as the first racetrack to appear in a video game, featured in "Pole Position" in 1982. The venue has hosted various international racing series and remains a cornerstone of Japanese motorsports.

WEC Competition Classes and Regulations

The FIA WEC features two main classes at Fuji. The Hypercar category includes cars built under Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) regulations. The LMGT3 category provides production-based sports car racing with manufacturer diversity.

Hypercar Technical Updates

All newly approved Hypercar entries feature mandatory Energy Recovery Systems from the current season. This regulation ensures all Hypercars compete as hybrid vehicles, combining internal combustion engines with electrical power recovery. The FIA has implemented aerodynamic adjustments, limiting rear wing flex to 2.5 millimeters under a 100 Newton load. These regulations maintain competitive balance across different manufacturer approaches.

Manufacturers and Teams at Fuji

The season includes 14 manufacturers across both categories. The Hypercar class features Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Genesis, Peugeot, and Toyota. The LMGT3 class includes Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche.

Key Hypercar Entries

Genesis Magma Racing joins the championship with GMR-001 Hypercar entries. The team fields drivers André Lotterer, Pipo Derani, Mathieu Jaminet, and Daniel Juncadella. Ferrari AF Corse returns as defending Hypercar champions, retaining Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen in the #50 car, with Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi in the #51 entry.

Alpine Endurance Team adds Antonio Felix Da Costa to its lineup alongside Frederic Makowiecki. Toyota continues its home race presence at Fuji International Speedway with factory Hypercar entries.

LMGT3 Competition

Heart of Racing campaigns two Aston Martin Vantage LMGT3 entries with drivers including Gray Newell and Ian James. Team WRT operates BMW customer entries with drivers Darren Leung, Sean Gelael, Dan Harper, Parker Thompson, Anthony McIntosh, and Augusto Farfus. TF Sport fields Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R entries, including a collaboration with Racing Team Turkey, with drivers Nicky Catsburg, Ben Keating, Johnny Edgar, Charlie Eastwood, Peter Dempsy, and Salih Yoluc.

Endurance Racing History at Fuji

Fuji International Speedway has hosted endurance racing since 1967, when the first Fuji 1000 kilometer race took place. The Automobile Club de l'Ouest held its first Asian endurance race at Fuji in 1999, establishing the circuit's credentials for long-distance competition. The venue has featured in the FIA WEC calendar since 2012, becoming a regular stop for the championship.

The track has hosted the World Sportscar Championship and various Formula 1 races throughout its history. This racing heritage makes Fuji a respected venue among teams and drivers.

What Makes the Fuji WEC Race Special

Mount Fuji provides a distinctive backdrop for the race, creating visual appeal unique to this venue. The combination of the long main straight and technical corners produces varied racing action. Teams must balance aerodynamic efficiency for straight-line speed with mechanical grip for the corner sequences.

The six-hour race format demands strategic thinking about tire management, fuel consumption, and driver rotation. Weather conditions can change during the race, adding variables to team strategies. The circuit's layout rewards both driver skill and engineering excellence, making performance gains possible through setup optimization.

Japanese racing fans bring strong support for manufacturer teams, particularly Toyota on home soil. The event attracts international attention as one of Asia's premier endurance races. The race serves as a test of reliability and speed as teams compete across both Hypercar and LMGT3 categories at Fuji International Speedway.