TOYOTA GAZOO Racing concluded the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season in spectacular fashion, overcoming setbacks to claim another manufacturers’ title in a thrilling 8 Hours of Bahrain finale.
The team began the race from a one-two position on the grid, knowing that victory would guarantee the championship. Both cars led at different stages, but unexpected challenges saw only the #8 GR010 HYBRID in contention by the race’s closing moments, sitting in 10th place after a series of setbacks.
In a heroic display of skill and determination, Sébastien Buemi powered through the field in the #8 GR010 HYBRID, which he shares with Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa. The team’s extraordinary effort secured a triumphant race win and clinched the manufacturers’ World Championship, finishing six points ahead of Porsche.
Meanwhile, the #7 GR010 HYBRID, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries, appeared poised for victory after leading at the halfway mark. However, a fuel pump issue forced the car into retirement, dashing the drivers’ title hopes for Kamui and Nyck, who needed a win to stay in contention.
The 2024 WEC season spanned eight rounds across four continents, encompassing 72 hours of intense racing over nearly 10 months. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing ended the campaign with five podium finishes, three wins, two pole positions, and 190 World Championship points. The team congratulates the new drivers’ World Champions Kévin Estre, Andre Lotterer, and Laurens Vanthoor, and extends appreciation to all WEC competitors for an unforgettable season.
Race Highlights:
The race kicked off strongly with Sébastien Buemi leading from pole, but the team faced early adversity when a GT car collided with him, dropping the #8 down to seventh. Buemi fought back to fifth, handing the car to Brendon Hartley, who along with Ryo Hirakawa, managed to keep the #8 in the hunt despite battling tire degradation.
Two pivotal safety car periods in the second half closed the field, setting the stage for a comeback. With just over an hour remaining, Buemi, in 10th place and only 15 seconds behind the leader, launched a relentless charge. He overtook multiple competitors, moving into second place before seizing the lead from the #5 Porsche. Buemi crossed the finish line 27.539 seconds ahead, securing a remarkable victory.
The #7 GR010 HYBRID had also shown promise, with Mike Conway moving up to third early on and Kamui Kobayashi delivering an aggressive stint to claim second place. However, a persistent fuel pump issue hindered the car’s performance, and after briefly regaining the lead, the team decided to retire the car. This strategic move allowed full focus on the #8’s title push, underscoring the team’s unified effort.
Team Reactions:
- Kamui Kobayashi (Team Principal & Driver, Car #7): “A huge thank you to everyone who supported us throughout the season. Winning the manufacturers’ World Championship is a significant achievement and a testament to the hard work of our entire team, including our partners at Toyota. Although our car had issues today, the #8’s incredible win makes this victory even more meaningful. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger next season.”
- Mike Conway (Driver, Car #7): “It’s disappointing for our car, but I’m thrilled the team secured the manufacturers’ title. The #8 put on an incredible performance, and I’m proud to be part of this team. We’ll celebrate this success together and look forward to the next challenge.”
- Nyck de Vries (Driver, Car #7): “Despite the bittersweet feeling, it’s fantastic to see our team finish the season with the championship. The #8’s victory was hard-earned, and we can only take pride in the team’s resilience. We gave it our all this season, and I’m grateful for everyone’s support.”
- Sébastien Buemi (Driver, Car #8): “Winning today felt unreal after everything we went through. The whole team fought relentlessly, and I’m overjoyed we achieved our goal. The teamwork was incredible, and I’m grateful for the trust and effort from everyone.”
- Brendon Hartley (Driver, Car #8): “I’m so happy for our team and everyone at Toyota. The race was tough, but Séb delivered a phenomenal final stint. It’s a great way to end the season, and this championship win means everything to us.”
- Ryo Hirakawa (Driver, Car #8): “It was a rollercoaster of a race, but we never gave up. The #8 had its share of struggles, but we pushed hard until the end. I’m so thankful to the entire team and our partners for making this possible. It’s a perfect way to finish the season.”
8 Hours of Bahrain – Race Results: 1st: #8 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing – 235 laps
2nd: #51 Ferrari AF Corse (Pier Guidi/Calado/Giovinazzi) – +27.539s
3rd: #5 Porsche Penske (Campbell/Christensen/Makowiecki) – +29.177s
4th: #93 Peugeot TotalEnergies (Jensen/Müller/Vergne) – +36.799s
5th: #35 Alpine Endurance Team (Chatin/Habsburg/Gounon) – +37.404s
6th: #15 BMW M Team WRT (Vanthoor/Marciello/Wittmann) – +47.916s
DNF: #7 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
