Strong WEC Opening for American Drivers

Two wins in two races to launch globe-trotting championship battle  

23 April 2025—The field of FIA World Endurance Championship drivers represent some 26 different nationalities. With two races in the books, drivers from one country have got off to a fast start to the 2025 season.

Despite having just four American-flagged drivers in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), both of the opening two rounds of the 2025 LMGT3 championship were won by teams that featured American drivers.

2022 FIA WEC Champion Ben Keating won the season opening event in Qatar, and followed that up with a run to 7th this weekend in Imola. The points from both races mean that the Texan now holds an 11 point advantage along with his co-drivers Daniel Juncadella and Johnny Edgar over the rest of the LMGT3 field.

“I said that I felt like it would be an Easter miracle if we got in the points. And we got in the points!” said Keating “So an Easter miracle. It was another perfect execution by everyone on the team. That was the difference.  I’m happy to still be in the points lead. It will be pretty close in the championship, but we are still in the lead and I like our chances for the rest of the season.”

The World Endurance Championship features eight rounds of competition with three races staged ahead of June’s 24 hour Le Mans.  The series will stage one more race next month at the notable historic Spa Francorchamps track in Belgium ahead of returning to France for the epic 2025 running of the 24 hours of Le Mans. The series will race in Brazil in July, ahead of the return to the Circuit of the Americas for the Lone Star Le Mans on September 6 this year.

American racer Ryan Hardwick, and his co-drivers Riccardo Pera and Richard Lietz claimed the top step of the LMGT3 podium this weekend in the 6 Hours of Imola in Italy. The breakthrough victory was the first WEC triumph for Hardwick, who saw his team lead the way across the line ahead of the BMW squad that included Valentino Rossi.

Hardwick’s victory was not only his first in the world championship, but also marked a significant step up in the points standings after his opening round, which yielded zero points. The victory now moves him to fourth in the championship standings.

“What a victory!” said Hardwick, who has also tasted success in IMSA competition. “This is my first one in the WEC, so it is a very, very special day for me. And to do it here at Imola, this is one of my favorite tracks in Europe, so to have my first win here alongside my great teammates Riccardo and Richie and also as part of this historic Manthey Porsche team is just special. It was a real team effort, and we are really excited and optimistic about the rest of the season.”

The other two American flagged drivers walked away with zero points for the Italian weekend. Ian James and the Heart of Racing Team are currently tenth in championship point standings after a sixth place finish in Qatar. Derek Deboer and Racing Spirit of Leman have three championship points due to its top-ten finish in the opening round.

The championship hosts two very different categories, with the Hyper car class leading headlining the event as the cars feature hybrid technology and bespoke prototype designs that include entries from Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, and Cadillac.

The LMGT3 machines, while extreme with their large rear wings, still look strikingly similar to the very sought after road car GT machines that they are based on, including the Ferrari 296 Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette and McLaren 675.

2025 FIA World Endurance Championship American Drivers:

Ian James  (USA)                    No. 27 HEART OF RACING
Ryan Hardwick (USA)                No. 92 MANTHEY 1ST PHORM
Ben Keating  (USA)                    No. 33 TF Sport
Derek Deboer (USA)                    No. 10 RACING SPIRIT OF LEMAN

Round three of the 2025 FIA WEC campaign – the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, in Belgium – will take place on 8-10 May.

Watch every moment of the action, live or on demand, via the official FIA WEC TV app – your full-access pass to the FIA World Endurance Championship. For further information, click HERE.