The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) returns to Japan this weekend for one of its most atmospheric fixtures: the 6 Hours of Fuji. Nestled in the shadow of the iconic Mount Fuji, the circuit has long been a favourite on the calendar —and this year’s race carries added weight. Sunday’s contest marks the 100th race in the history of the FIA WEC. This is a milestone for the championship launched in 2012 by the FIA and Le Mans organiser ACO.
For European viewers, the timing is less forgiving. The race gets underway at 04:00 CEST on Sunday morning. This means endurance fans will need an early start—or a very late night—to catch the action live.
Toyota’s Homecoming
Fuji is Toyota’s home race, but 2025 has been a nightmare season so far for the Japanese marque. The local fans will hope the works GR010 Hybrid can finally deliver on familiar asphalt. The team welcomes back Mike Conway, who missed Austin with a broken collarbone. His return shifts José María López back into the Lexus #87 LMGT3 entry, while Toyota’s title chances remain slim.
The venue itself is a wildcard. The 4.563 km Fuji Speedway, with its 16 corners and infamous 1.5 km pit straight, is notoriously weather-sensitive. The racing is happening at the foot of Japan’s highest mountain. Therefore, the circuit is prone to rapid shifts from blazing sunshine to torrential downpours. Current forecasts point to sun and 30°C on Friday, followed by unsettled conditions across the weekend. Rain showers are most likely on Saturday. The race on Sunday is expected to start damp but dry out as the hours tick by.
Porsche Shuffle, Peugeot Farewell
There’s a key change in Porsche’s line-up: Mathieu Jaminet replaces Michael Christensen in the #5 Porsche 963 alongside Julien Andlauer. Porsche explained that Christensen has testing commitments with AO Racing.
At Peugeot, Stoffel Vandoorne makes his final WEC appearance. His contract, tied primarily to Stellantis’ Formula E programme, expires ahead of that series’ earlier-than-usual test season start on 1 October. From Bahrain onwards, the cockpit will belong to Théo Pourchaire.
Elsewhere, Anthony McIntosh returns for his second outing of the season in the RSL Aston Martin #10. He is driving for Derek DeBoer after previously racing in São Paulo.
Titles on the Line
The championship picture is finely poised, and Fuji could bring early coronations. In the manufacturers’ standings, Ferrari lead the way on 203 points. The Italian team is comfortably ahead of Porsche on 138 and Cadillac on 134. A modest points haul could see Ferrari clinch the constructors’ crown one round early. If the Scuderia outscores Porsche by at least one point and loses no more than three to Cadillac, the title will already be theirs.
In the drivers’ championship, the Ferrari trio James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi and Antonio Giovinazzi hold a 15-point cushion over AF Corse’s Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson. A win for the factory-run #51—provided the privateer #83 Ferrari leaves empty-handed—would seal the crown in Japan.
The LMGT3 fight also has the potential to be settled. Manthey Racing’s Ricardo Pera, Richard Lietz and Ryan Hardwick can clinch a second consecutive title with the #92 Porsche. This is if they finish at least 21 points clear of the AF Corse Ferrari #21.
Meanwhile, the private Hypercar teams’ trophy has already been decided. AF Corse’s #83 Ferrari were so dominant across the campaign that this title fight was wrapped up in Austin.
A Historic Stage
First run in 1967 as the “Fuji 1000 km”, the Japanese enduro has evolved into a WEC autumn classic. After several interruptions, the event was reinstated in 2012 as part of the reborn world championship. Toyota purchased the circuit in 2000, adding to the sense of home advantage for the marque.
The lap record remains in the hands of Kamui Kobayashi. He was able to clock a 1:27.794 in a Toyota GR010 Hybrid last year. In LMGT3, Marino Sato’s McLaren 720S Evo holds the benchmark with 1:40.528.
Last season’s podium saw Porsche on top with André Lotterer, Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor, followed by BMW and Alpine. Porsche also boasts a rich history in Fuji, with eight wins since 1971—including their legendary Group C era with the 956.
What to Expect
The 6 Hours of Fuji will test the local heroes as Toyota aim to turn their faltering season around at home. Ferrari could seal both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ crowns with a strong result, while Porsche and Cadillac are left to fight for second place in the standings. Fuji’s ever-changing weather promises to play its part, adding further unpredictability to a race already steeped in drama. And with the 100th WEC race providing the backdrop, fans can expect a weekend of history, tension and spectacle at the foot of Mount Fuji.