The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) roared into action at Imola, where warm spring conditions created an ideal backdrop for Free Practice 1. From the very beginning, teams pushed hard to establish early momentum, and Ferrari quickly emerged as the benchmark in Hypercar.
At the same time, the LMGT3 category produced a tightly contested battle, underlining the depth and competitiveness across the grid. Consequently, the first session already hinted at an intense and unpredictable race weekend ahead.
2026 FIA WEC: 6 Hours of Imola: Free Practice 1: Hypercar
Ferrari delivers statement performance
Ferrari wasted no time asserting dominance on home soil. Robert Kubica set the pace in the #83 AF Corse entry with a blistering 1:31.739, continuing the car’s remarkable record at Imola. Moreover, the lap came early enough to put pressure on rivals, who struggled to match the outright pace.
Soon after, Antonio Fuoco came within just 0.023 seconds in the #50 Ferrari, reinforcing the team’s control. Meanwhile, Antonio Giovinazzi secured third in the #51 car, ensuring Ferrari locked out the top three positions. As a result, the tifosi had plenty to celebrate, as the Prancing Horse looked firmly in command.
Rivals close in but fall short
Despite Ferrari’s dominance, several manufacturers showed encouraging signs. Cadillac’s #12 entry led the chase, demonstrating strong consistency and pace over longer runs. In addition, Peugeot placed both its 9X8 Hypercars in fifth and sixth, signalling a solid start to its campaign.
Furthermore, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing continued its preparations with a measured approach. Although the #8 car finished seventh, the team focused on data collection ahead of its milestone 100th start, rather than outright pace.
Competitive midfield and new faces
The midfield battle proved equally compelling. Alpine secured eighth with the #35 entry, as António Félix da Costa marked his return to the championship. Close behind, BMW placed both cars in the top ten, highlighting improved performance and consistency.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin and Cadillac’s second entry remained within striking distance, while Genesis Magma Racing quietly impressed. Although the South Korean manufacturer finished towards the back, it completed a clean and productive first session, which will prove valuable ahead of its debut race.
Classification
- Ferrari #83 – AF Corse – 1:31.739 (46 laps)
- Ferrari #50 – Ferrari AF Corse – +0.023 (46 laps)
- Ferrari #51 – Ferrari AF Corse – +0.243 (32 laps)
- Cadillac #12 – Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA – +0.444 (41 laps)
- Peugeot #94 – Peugeot TotalEnergies – +0.612 (46 laps)
- Peugeot #93 – Peugeot TotalEnergies – +0.717 (46 laps)
- Toyota #8 – Toyota Racing – +0.834 (48 laps)
- Alpine #35 – Alpine Endurance Team – +0.918 (42 laps)
- BMW #15 – BMW M Team WRT – +0.953 (49 laps)
- BMW #20 – BMW M Team WRT – +0.959 (40 laps)
- Aston Martin #007 – Aston Martin THOR Team – +1.080 (41 laps)
- Toyota #7 – Toyota Racing – +1.209 (47 laps)
- Alpine #36 – Alpine Endurance Team – +1.340 (36 laps)
- Cadillac #38 – Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA – +1.352 (34 laps)
- Genesis #19 – Genesis Magma Racing – +1.488 (50 laps)
- Aston Martin #009 – Aston Martin THOR Team – +1.531 (40 laps)
- Genesis #17 – Genesis Magma Racing – +1.986 (47 laps)
2026 FIA WEC: 6 Hours of Imola: Free Practice 1: LMGT3
Corvette sets the early benchmark
In LMGT3, Charlie Eastwood delivered a strong performance to place the #34 Racing Team Turkey by TF Corvette at the top of the timesheets. His lap of 1:42.678 stood firm despite multiple challenges, demonstrating both speed and control.
However, the competition remained fierce. Garage 59’s #58 McLaren followed closely, just 0.170 seconds behind, ensuring that the fight for top honours stayed wide open.
Tight margins define the front runners
The battle for the top positions unfolded with remarkable intensity. Mattia Drudi secured third in the #27 Aston Martin, delighting local fans with a strong showing. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s #21 VISTA AF Corse entry and the second Garage 59 McLaren completed a tightly packed top five.
Notably, the top six cars finished within less than four tenths of a second, underlining the competitiveness of the category. As a result, even minor improvements could significantly reshuffle the order in qualifying.
Depth across the grid
Beyond the leading group, the midfield remained highly competitive. BMW’s Team WRT entries, Iron Lynx’s Mercedes cars, and Akkodis ASP’s Lexus machines all demonstrated consistent pace. Meanwhile, Porsche’s Manthey entries and Proton Competition’s Ford cars added further depth to an already strong field.
Importantly, teams focused not only on outright speed but also on long-run performance and tyre management. Therefore, the current order may shift as strategies evolve over the weekend.
Classification
- Corvette #34 – Racing Team Turkey by TF – 1:42.678 (44 laps)
- McLaren #58 – Garage 59 – +0.170 (39 laps)
- Aston Martin #27 – Heart of Racing Team – +0.213 (41 laps)
- Ferrari #21 – VISTA AF Corse – +0.241 (34 laps)
- McLaren #10 – Garage 59 – +0.349 (38 laps)
- Aston Martin #23 – Heart of Racing Team – +0.372 (41 laps)
- BMW #69 – Team WRT – +0.387 (45 laps)
- BMW #32 – Team WRT – +0.473 (31 laps)
- Mercedes #79 – Iron Lynx – +0.527 (39 laps)
- Corvette #33 – TF Sport – +0.561 (40 laps)
- Lexus #87 – Akkodis ASP Team – +0.661 (40 laps)
- Porsche #92 – The Bend Manthey – +0.724 (44 laps)
- Mercedes #61 – Iron Lynx – +0.763 (41 laps)
- Porsche #91 – Manthey DK Engineering – +0.956 (45 laps)
- Lexus #78 – Akkodis ASP Team – +0.970 (38 laps)
- Ford #77 – Proton Competition – +1.054 (42 laps)
- Ford #88 – Proton Competition – +1.088 (41 laps)
- Ferrari #54 – VISTA AF Corse – +1.474 (42 laps)
Free Practice 1 delivers strong opening statement at 2026 FIA WEC opener in Imola
As the chequered flag fell on FP1, Ferrari clearly set the pace in Hypercar, sending a strong message to its rivals. Nevertheless, the chasing pack remains close enough to challenge, particularly as teams refine their setups.
At the same time, LMGT3 delivered one of the most competitive sessions of the day, with minimal gaps across the field. Therefore, as the weekend progresses, both categories promise thrilling battles, strategic variation and unpredictable outcomes at Imola.
