Toyota Gazoo Racing capped off an extraordinary season in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) by clinching the manufacturers’ title with a dramatic win at the 8 Hours of Bahrain. The final race of the season saw Sébastien Buemi, Ryō Hirakawa, and Brendon Hartley secure victory for Toyota’s #8 car, while Porsche’s André Lotterer, Laurens Vanthoor, and Kévin Estre captured the coveted drivers’ championship despite a challenging race.
Toyota’s Triumph in the 8 Hours of Bahrain
In a race packed with intense action and unexpected twists, Toyota’s #8 crew fought hard for their win. Early in the race, Sébastien Buemi was spun out of the lead by a GT car, but he delivered an outstanding recovery drive. Despite this setback and two safety car periods that shook up the field, Buemi managed to hunt down the #5 Porsche Penske 963 in the final hour, retaking the lead and securing Toyota’s victory. This win sealed Toyota’s fourth consecutive Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers’ Championship and their sixth top-class manufacturers’ title in WEC history.
The win was especially significant as it added to Toyota’s legacy in endurance racing, with their dominance extending from the LMP1 era into the Hypercar category. The team’s perseverance and expert strategy in Bahrain exemplified their standing at the pinnacle of endurance racing.
Lotterer, Vanthoor, Estre Crowned Drivers’ Champions
While Toyota celebrated its manufacturers’ crown, Porsche Penske’s #6 crew of Lotterer, Vanthoor, and Estre secured the drivers’ championship, despite enduring a tough day at the office. The trio finished 10th in the race after being penalized twice in the final hour, yet their nearest rivals—the #50 Ferrari AF Corse team—could only manage 11th place. This result ensured Lotterer, Vanthoor, and Estre’s hold on the championship.
Lotterer, celebrating his second WEC title in what was his last race as a Porsche factory driver, marked the occasion with a season that saw the Porsche #6 team achieve two critical victories in Qatar and Fuji. Their consistency throughout the year ultimately led to their triumph, making them the only team with two wins this season.
Post-Race Drama Elevates Porsche and Peugeot
The podium battle in Bahrain saw a significant shake-up after the race. Ferrari AF Corse’s #51 car, driven by Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and James Calado, initially finished in second place. However, a post-race penalty for exceeding the tire allocation limit dropped them down to 14th place, allowing Porsche and Peugeot to move up the standings.
As a result, the #5 Porsche Penske 963 of Matt Campbell, Michael Christensen, and Frédéric Makowiecki took second place, while Peugeot claimed their first and only podium finish of the season with the #93 Team Peugeot TotalEnergies car in third. This marked an important milestone for the French manufacturer as they look to build on this momentum for the future.
LMGT3 Victory for VISTA AF Corse Ferrari
In the LMGT3 category, it was the #55 VISTA AF Corse Ferrari that came out on top, securing its first win of the season. Alessio Rovera delivered a stunning performance, overtaking the #81 TF Sport Corvette in the closing stages of the race. Rovera, alongside teammates François Hériau and Simon Mann, held off a late charge from the Corvette driven by Charlie Eastwood, claiming a well-deserved victory.
TF Sport also had a strong showing, with their second car, the #82 Corvette, recovering from an early penalty to finish in third place. The LMGT3 field was rounded out by the Iron Lynx Lamborghini, Manthey EMA Porsche, and United Autosports McLaren, each putting up strong performances.
A Season to Remember
The 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship season concluded with thrilling on-track action and hard-fought battles across all classes. Toyota’s continued dominance in the Hypercar class, paired with Porsche Penske’s drivers’ title win, made for a fitting end to a season that will be remembered for its competitiveness, resilience, and drama.
As the WEC prepares for the 2025 season, fans can look forward to even more excitement, with manufacturers like Toyota, Porsche, Ferrari, and Peugeot continuing to push the limits of endurance racing.
Source: FIA
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
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