WEC returns with Fuji 6 Hour

The penultimate round of the WEC’s brilliant new Hypercar era heads to Japan for the iconic Fuji 6 Hour this weekend where Toyota can take the championship on its home pitch.

The historic Fuji International Speedway plays host to a 36 car field this weekend, with 12 hypercar entries set to take to the scenic 4.5 km track.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing team undoubtedly has a stellar record at the venue that’s just 100 km west of Tokyo, with its GR010 hybrid powertrain having been designed, developed, and built at the nearby Higashi-Fuji Technical Center.

They are aiming for a five consecutive victory at Fuji, and a win could also give them a fifth consecutive championship, as they currently sit 23 points above the third placed Ferrari 499P.

The Le mans winning #51 Ferrari 499P will need to finish above the #8 Toyota to be in the championship hunt at the Fuji 6 Hour. Image: LAT

Currently the #8 GR010 leads the way with Sebastien Buemi/Brendon Hartley/Ryo Hirakawa team holding a 23 point lead over its sister #7 hypercar who have taken three wins with Jose Maria Lopez/Mike Conway/Kamui Kobayashi behind the wheel.

They are tied on points with the historic Le Mans 24 winners in the #51 Ferrari, steered by James Calado/Alessandro Pier Guidi/Antonio Giovinazzi.

The Ferrari holds a minimal BoP weight advantage at Fuji, carrying just 4kg less than the Toyota’s that will go in at 1080 kilos, with the GR010’s given a 3 Kw power advantage as an adjustment.

Of the contending hypercars the Peugeot 9X8 cars have the lightest power to weight ratio (1038kg/520Kw) despite their podium at Monza over the Cadillac’s, with the French team 1 kg under the V-Series R contenders, whilst the American builds will run at 505Kw. 

The Peugeot 9X8’s will go into Fuji with a considerable BoP advantage over Toyota and Ferrari. Image: LAT

That puts the Peugeot’s in the frame again, and with the Total Energies team seemingly on top of their mechanical woes, may have the pace to challenge the big guns with their considerable BoP allowances.

Conditions for race day will be very hot and muggy at 30+ degrees, which won’t favour the Peugeot’s however, who run better in the wet, which will play into Toyota’s hands with its highly reliable and time-advanced cooling systems, of which Ferrari are its nearest equals in that regard.

The considerably long 1.5km pit straight will also play a large role in which the cars will reach around 320kph, whilst the entire lap sees the throttle open for 41% of the time.

Have we seen the last of the Glickenhaus team?

The popular Glickenhaus entry’s announced some weeks ago that they wouldn’t be at Fuji, nor perhaps the season closer at Bahrain.

Boutique Owner Jim Glickenhaus said he wouldn’t continue to run the Pipo-engined 007 without a big injection of sponsorship, saying that the car is in serious need of an upgrade as he’s not interested in “being cannon fodder” for the big boys.

Glickenhaus has always punched above its weight, but has the popular team seen its last WEC laps? Image: LAT

“Bahrain is still a possibility for us because we are still talking to people,” Glickenhaus said.

“But if we don’t get something in place for then, I’d say it’s very unlikely that we’d get something for next year, though it’s not over ’til it’s over.”

Former F1 kiwi driver Brendon Hartley, who is in the #8 championship leader, is aiming to capture a fourth WEC championship at the top level, and his second with Toyota.

“It’s great to go to Fuji Speedway for our home race at the top of both World Championships, and we are focused on tightening our grip with a strong result this weekend,” Hartley. 

“We saw in Monza how close the competition is, and how a small mistake here or there can have a big impact on the result, so we need to be on the top of our game. 

“I’m sure it will be another great battle, particularly with Ferrari who have looked very quick all year, but that’s what we all want and we’re ready for the challenge.”

Hartley keeps the #50 Ferrari at bay at Monza. Image: LAT

Fuji 6 Hour Timetable (local time)

Friday September 8

11:00 – 12:30: FP1

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: FP2

Saturday September 9

10:20 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.: FP3

2:40 p.m.: Qualifying

Sunday September 10

11:00 a.m.: Race start

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