TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season came to a nail-biting close with a dramatic victory at the 8 Hours of Bahrain, securing their sixth consecutive manufacturers’ title. Despite setbacks, the team showcased an indomitable spirit as the #8 GR010 HYBRID driven by Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa powered through to claim victory.
A Race of Highs and Lows
Starting in a strong position with a front-row lockout, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team knew that victory was within reach to secure the WEC title. However, the journey was anything but smooth. Both cars led at various stages, but only the #8 car crossed the finish line as the #7 GR010 HYBRID faced a heartbreaking retirement due to mechanical issues.
The race began with Sébastien Buemi leading from pole but quickly took a challenging turn when the #8 was clipped by a GT car, causing Buemi to spin down to seventh. In a resilient display, Buemi regained ground to climb back into the top five before Brendon Hartley took over. Hartley and Hirakawa then faced significant tyre degradation challenges, yet managed to hold the #8 in contention within the top six.
Turning the Tide: The Final Hour
As the race neared its final stages, two safety car periods compressed the Hypercar field, placing Buemi within striking distance. Restarting in 10th but just 15 seconds behind the leader, Buemi initiated an audacious comeback drive that saw him overtake several rivals to take second. With just over half an hour remaining, he completed his remarkable charge, overtaking the #5 Porsche to seize the lead and ultimately finish the race with a 27.539-second advantage.
The #7 car, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries, had also looked promising, especially during Kobayashi’s daring overtakes that pushed the car up to second. However, a fuel pump issue severely compromised its performance. After a series of attempts to address the problem, the team chose to retire the #7, prioritizing the success of the #8 and the championship goal.
Team Reactions: A Season-Defining Victory
Kamui Kobayashi, Team Principal and driver of the #7 car, expressed both pride and gratitude: “Winning the manufacturers’ World Championship is a huge achievement and a testament to the dedication of everyone involved, from our Toyota partners to each team member. The #8 deserved the win today, and we will analyze our setbacks to return stronger.”
For the #7 drivers, the experience was bittersweet. Mike Conway praised the team effort, saying, “While it was disappointing for us, I’m thrilled that the #8 managed to secure both the race and championship victory. It’s a proud moment for Toyota.” Nyck de Vries echoed these sentiments, celebrating the team’s overall triumph despite the missed opportunity to contend for the drivers’ title.
Buemi, the race hero of the #8, reflected on the victory with amazement: “It’s crazy to think we won. We faced multiple challenges, from setbacks to penalties, yet our hard work paid off in the end. This championship is a team victory in every sense.”
Season Highlights and Final Standings
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s journey through the 2024 WEC season was marked by both triumphs and tests, across eight races on four continents and 72 hours of grueling endurance. The team’s record includes five podium finishes, three of which were victories, and two pole positions, accumulating 190 World Championship points. This win in Bahrain not only crowned a successful season but reaffirmed TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s dominance in endurance racing.
In a nod to the competitive spirit that marked the 2024 WEC season, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing extended their congratulations to the newly crowned drivers’ champions—Kévin Estre, Andre Lotterer, and Laurens Vanthoor—while celebrating their own team’s hard-fought manufacturers’ title.
Bahrain 8 Hours – Top 6 Hypercar Results
- #8 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (Buemi/Hartley/Hirakawa) – 235 laps
- #51 Ferrari AF Corse (Pier Guidi/Calado/Giovinazzi) – +27.539 secs
- #5 Porsche Penske (Campbell/Christensen/Makowiecki) – +29.177 secs
- #93 Peugeot TotalEnergies (Jensen/Müller/Vergne) – +36.799 secs
- #35 Alpine Endurance Team (Chatin/Habsburg/Gounon) – +37.404 secs
- #15 BMW M Team WRT (Vanthoor/Marciello/Wittmann) – +47.916 secs
DNF: #7 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
As the team heads into the winter break, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing can reflect on a season that highlighted the power of perseverance, technical prowess, and teamwork. With plans already underway for the next season, fans can look forward to seeing TOYOTA GAZOO Racing return to the grid with renewed ambition and strength.
