Toyota clinches new-era WEC hypercar title

Toyota Gazoo Racing claimed the manufacturers bragging rights in the first year of the World Endurance Championships new hypercar era with a one-two at Fuji.

Racing on their home turf at the 6 Hours of Fuji, the Japanese brand overcame the influx of the new LMH/LMDh hypercar manufacturers that joined in 2023 to take a one-two, as well as cement the fact that one of their GR010 Hybrids will take the drivers title at the final round in Bahrain.

It’s the fifth straight WEC Manufacturers Championship for Toyota since the 2018 season, and their third straight title with the GR010 LMH hypercar, with the team entering this season with a distinct two year operating advantage over new entrants Ferrari, Porsche, and Cadillac.

A spirited early challenge from #6 Penske Porsche 963 with Estre/Lotterer/Vanthoor behind the wheel couldn’t hold off the rampant pole sitters, as the winning #7 with Conway/Kobayashi/Maria Lope reeled in the early Porsche lead, with the drivers championship leading #8 GR010 going with them into second.

Toyota used every bit of its three year advantage with the LMH hypercar machinery to clinch a fifth straight WEC title.

A record crowd of 54,700 people saw the #7 take 39.119s win over its sister car to keep its own title hopes alive, closing the gap to 15 points.

It was a disappointing weekend for the title challenging/Le Mans winning #51 Ferrari 499P, as it finished in fifth behind the #50 Ferrari, with both machines being 1 lap off the pace despite having a slight BoP advantage.

There was also the unusual case of the two Ferrari’s not swapping places early on in the 6 hour contest, as the two ran together for much of the race, with only the #51 hypercar still in championship contention and in need of the points to stay in touch, but now sits an unassailable 31 points in arrears.

A promising championship tilt from the #51 Ferrari came to an end in Japan. Image: LAT

The leading podium finishers competed 229 laps after the six hour battle, with Toyota making nine out of ten at the Fuji International Speedway.

“To finish one-two was our target and it was not easy but our pace was brilliant,” said driver of the #7 GR010 and team principal, Kamui Kobayashi.

“Thanks to the team for their hard work, and thanks to Toyota and our partners for being part of this. I was really happy to see so many Toyota Racing flags around the track; I truly appreciate the big support from the fans. 

“It was a difficult race, especially after the start when we lost some positions. It is very challenging to overtake Hypercars here and lapping the other cars was also hard, but we handled the situation well, we did what we needed to do, and the team really helped the drivers.”

Taking sixth place was the #38 Hertz Team Jota Porsche with Da Costa/Stevens/Ye behind the wheel, whilst the two Peugeots 9X8 couldn’t cash in on their huge BoP advantage over the rest of the field, finish in seventh and eighth over the Proton Competition Porsche and the #2 Cadillac.

The final round of the WEC championship head to Bahrain for the 8 Hours of Bahrain on November 4.

Top Five, 6 Hours of Fuji

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