The 499Ps return to the spotlight in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the 6 Hours of COTA, the sixth round of the 2025 season, which kicks off on Sunday 7 September at 1.00 p. m., local time. Ferrari arrives in Texas defending its lead in both the World Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ Championships standings.
Fifty-six days after the previous round contested in Brazil, the Ferrari – AF Corse works team heads to the Circuit of The Americas with a clear goal for both crews: the number 50 of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen, and the number 51 of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, who both finished outside the top ten at São Paulo, need to score crucial points in the world title races.
On the American circuit, which is hosting the Lone Star Le Mans for the second consecutive year and is renowned for its dramatic elevation changes and 5.513-kilometre layout combining high-speed sections with corners of varying radius and speed, the spotlight will also fall on the number 83 499P, eighth in Brazil. Entered by the AF Corse privateer team, it will be driven by Maranello-based manufacturer official driver Yifei Ye alongside Robert Kubica and Phil Hanson.
The situation. As indicated, Ferrari tops the World Manufacturers’ Championship standings on 175 points, 55 clear of second place, ahead of a race that awards 25 points to the winner. In the World Drivers’ Championship, Pier Guidi, Calado, and Giovinazzi lead on 105 points, with two wins and two pole positions so far. Ye, Kubica, and Hanson follow them in second place on 93 points, while Fuoco, Molina, and Nielsen sit fourth on 57, with one win and one Hyperpole.
AF Corse also leads the FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams, 64 points clear of their closest rivals on the eve of a race – the third-to-last of the season – which is crucial for the independent teams’ title.
The programme. The Lone Star Le Mans starts on Friday, 5 September, with the first two 90-minute free practice sessions at 11.30 a. m. and 4.00 p. m.; on Saturday, 6 September, after the third free practice session (11.00 a. m.-12.00 a. m.), qualifying for the Hypercar class takes place from (at 3.40 p. m.), followed by the Hyperpole (at 4.00 p. m.). The 6 Hours of COTA, as mentioned, starts on Sunday, 7 September at 1.00 p. m. (local times).