• Hardwick, Lietz and Pera maintain their lead in the LMGT3 classification, securing fifth place
• Due to a strategic disadvantage caused by an unfortunate safety car phase, the Iron Dames crew, having been in the lead previously, finished in 13th place
• It was a turbulent anniversary race at Fuji Speedway, characterised by numerous penalties, yellow flags and safety car phases

Fuji. After cars 85 and 92 had temporarily formed the double lead of the LMGT3 field thanks to strong stints, the Six Hours of Fuji ultimately saw the Iron Dames and Manthey 1st Phorm finish in 13th and 5th place, due to a strategically disadvantageous safety car phase during the final third of the race. The 100th race in the history of the World Endurance Championship was defined by numerous penalties, yellow and safety car phases, offering exciting battles for position until the very end. The championship lead of Ryan Hardwick (USA), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Riccardo Pera (Italy) was also decided at the last minute, ultimately being defended with a top-five finish and an eleven-point lead.

Ryan Hardwick and Célia Martin (France) began the six-hour FIA WEC anniversary race from fifth and 17th place on the grid, respectively. The two bronze drivers manoeuvred their way through the race under challenging conditions, with the LMGT3 field in constant motion right from the start due to safety car phases and a slew of penalties. A near-flawless performance and a pit stop strategy adapted to the many race interruptions were decisive in maintaining and improving their positions. In particular, the Iron Dames driver impressed in the early stages at the 4.563-kilometre Fuji Speedway with strong overtaking manoeuvres. After just under two hours, Hardwick and Martin handed their 911s over to their teammates in sixth (#92) and seventh (#85) place.

By the end of their first stint, Rahel Frey and Riccardo Pera had fought their way into a double lead thanks to their strong pace. After their first visit to the pit lane, they swapped positions, with car number 92 entering the subsequent safety car phase ahead of its sister car. However, the 20-minute intervention proved to be a major strategic disadvantage for the two Porsche 911 GT3 R. Unusually, this phase was run entirely behind the safety car instead of under virtual safety car (VSC) conditions. This allowed the cars further back in the LMGT3 field to take the risk of completing a full service and their final driver change during this period, losing significantly less time to the field. For the leading cars, this was too risky, as it was unclear how long the interruption would last. Had the competition not stopped as well, or had the race restarted before they rejoined the field, this would have meant losing all positions.

Ultimately, the risk paid off for the competitors as the final third of the race unfolded. The respective vehicles not only benefited from new tyres under the green flag, but cars 85 and 92 also lost significantly more time at their next pit stop compared to cars that pitted while the safety car was deployed. This cost Richard Lietz (Austria) and Michelle Gatting (Denmark) many positions, a disadvantage they were unable to overcome despite their strong performance. They ultimately finished in 13th (#85) and fifth place (#92).

Nevertheless, this result was decisive for the Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche crew, as it meant they maintained their lead in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 teams and drivers, with an eleven-point advantage (105 points) over the second-placed Ferrari (#21, Vista AF Corse). Meanwhile, the Iron Dames remain in 16th place with no points scored.

Patrick Arkenau, Head of Racing at Manthey Racing GmbH, concludes: “It looked like it was going to be a good race for us at the start. Célia in particular was able to prove herself right away in her first stints, making up positions, and we also made good use of the first VSC and safety car phases. Thanks to this, our Silver drivers Rahel and Riccardo managed to take the front of the field together and lead confidently. However, the unexpectedly long safety car phase about three and a half hours after the start of the race had a major strategic drawback for us. Compared to the cars that took the risk of heading for the pits during this period, we were at a significant disadvantage, both at the restart and during our subsequent pit stops. Unfortunately, Richard and Michelle were unable to recoup this, with Michelle being further slowed down by a minor slip-up and an unfavourable yellow phase for car number 85. All in all, it was a very chaotic race, but we had it under control in the first half. Unfortunately, the result does not reflect our performance. Despite this setback, we are now focusing on defending our championship lead, which we have held since Le Mans, and looking forward to the season finale in Bahrain, which we hope will end on a more positive note.”

The teams will not face the FIA WEC season finale until 6–8 November, traditionally marked by the Bahrain 8 Hours. Before that, Manthey will focus on the concluding round of the DTM, held from 3 to 5 October at the Hockenheimring.

Quotes on the Six Hours of Fuji 2025:

Rahel Frey, Porsche 911 GT3 R #85: “All in all, Fuji once again gave us the possibility to show our speed and determination. We had very strong pace in the race. Strategy-wise, we have to understand exactly what happened, but clearly we can always rely on our team, so we will focus on the positives. Now we need to focus on Bahrain to end the season on a high.”

Michelle Gatting, Porsche 911 GT3 R #85: “Another WEC race in Fuji is done. At one point things were looking very good – we were leading the race and Rahel did a fantastic job putting the car in front. Very unfortunate, as a safety car once again took away our chances. It really looked like a podium was possible, but in the end we finished P13. Many factors were beyond our control, but we will keep improving step by step. Hopefully Bahrain will be the race where everything comes together.”

Célia Martin, Porsche 911 GT3 R #85: “For us, it was a race full of ups and downs. At the start, I tried to stay calm and take care of the tyres. Overtaking is very difficult on this track, but we were able to take advantage of other drivers’ mistakes. Rahel delivered a fantastic stint and we were able to gain several positions. Unfortunately, the final safety car cost us a few places, and Michelle couldn’t change that. We would have liked to be closer to our sister car, but today it just didn’t work out.”

Ryan Hardwick, Porsche 911 GT3 R #92: “That was a tough race to accept in terms of the final result. We were leading and controlling the race with just a few hours to go, when an unfortunately timed safety car changed everything – benefiting our championship rivals and taking away our chance of victory. We did everything right: no mistakes in the pits, a perfect car, and outstanding stints from my teammates. I truly believe we deserved to win this race. It’s frustrating to lose valuable championship points, but we are still in the lead and now heading to Bahrain for the final showdown. We will give everything to come out on top.”

Richard Lietz, Porsche 911 GT3 R #92: “It’s a shame – we had a really strong race. I think we did a lot of things right but were unlucky in the end. Finishing P5 still gave us good points, but our competitors scored more, so we lost some ground in the championship. Sometimes luck just isn’t on your side – and unfortunately, a safety car at the wrong moment ruined our race.”

Riccardo Pera, Porsche 911 GT3 R #92: “In the end, P5 is actually quite a good result for us. We lost some points, but we are still leading the championship by ten. The fight is open, and we are looking forward to Bahrain. Honestly, we were competing for a podium or even a victory, but we were unlucky with the safety car. Overall, it was still a positive weekend for us. It was also a shame for the No. 85 car – they were very fast and definitely deserved more.”

Results Six Hours of Fuji 2025:

LMGT3 Class
1. Van Rompuy/Andradeh/Eastwood (BEL/ANG/IRL), Corvette #81
2. Heriau/Mann/Rovera (FRA/USA/ITA), Ferrari #21
3. Shahin/Boguslavskiy/Farfus (AUS/AIN/BRA), BMW #31

5. Hardwick/Pera/Lietz (USA/ITA/AUT), Porsche 911 GT3 R #92
13. Martin/Frey/Gatting (FRA/CHE/DNK), Porsche 911 GT3 R #85