Corvette Z06 GT3.R Achieves Inaugural FIA WEC Victory in Qatar

The Corvette Z06 GT3.R secured its inaugural FIA WEC victory at the Qatar 1812Km race, driven by Daniel Juncadella, Jonny Edgar, and Ben Keating. The team demonstrated exceptional skill by advancing from 13th to 1st place. This win follows their earlier success at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Juncadella’s impressive performance was pivotal in securing this victory, indicating a promising future for the Corvette in endurance racing.

The Corvette Z06 GT3.R has achieved a significant milestone by capturing its first victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) during the Qatar 1812Km race. The triumph was secured by the skilled trio of Daniel Juncadella, Jonny Edgar, and Ben Keating, who displayed remarkable resilience, advancing from 13th place to clinch the win by a narrow margin of less than half a second.

This victory serves as a crucial affirmation of the Corvette Racing program, which had already demonstrated its capabilities with a GTD class win at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. For Juncadella and Edgar, this marked their inaugural win in the WEC and with the Corvette, while Keating celebrated his eighth WEC victory, consolidating his status as an esteemed endurance racing veteran.

Keating initiated a strong performance by moving from 13th to 6th during the first three hours. Following this, Edgar, making his WEC debut, further propelled the Corvette up the ranks as night fell over Lusail, culminating in Juncadella taking the class lead by the halfway point, focusing on maintaining their advantage against the competition.

With 90 minutes remaining, Juncadella returned to the car for the final stint, strategically opting for a fuel and tire change, while the pursuing McLaren team opted for new tires. This decision resulted in an exhilarating final 30 minutes of racing, with Juncadella expertly managing pressure from competitors while navigating through heavy traffic.

Tragically, the No. 81 Corvette faced a mechanical failure shortly after the race’s commencement. However, the day ultimately belonged to the No. 33 team, which emerged victorious in an intense race. Meanwhile, in the Hypercar class, Ferrari’s AF Corse achieved a spectacular 1-2-3 podium finish, demonstrating their dominance.

Juncadella’s determination in the LMGT3 class was noteworthy as he successfully defended against the advances of McLaren’s Grégoire Saucy, securing Corvette’s second win of the 2025 season in 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 commented after the race.

The Corvette Z06 GT3.R has made an indelible mark in the FIA WEC and is poised to maintain its momentum heading into the next race at the 6 Hours of Imola.

As an accomplished contributor to motorsport journalism and authorial works, the author draws on extensive experience from the industry, providing credible insights into the race and the championship.

The Corvette Z06 GT3.R’s first FIA WEC victory underscores the prowess of the Corvette Racing team, exemplified by the remarkable efforts of Juncadella, Edgar, and Keating. This win reinforces Corvette’s growing reputation in endurance racing, having already clinched a prestigious GTD class victory earlier in the season. Juncadella’s performance reflects the team’s dedication, and they look forward to building on this success in the upcoming races. With the anticipation of the next race, the Corvette team aims to continue their successful streak and solidify their standing in the championship.

Original Source: www.autoweek.com