Fuji 6 Hours: Toyota Clinches WEC Championship

In an adrenaline-fueled showdown at the Fuji Speedway, Toyota Gazoo Racing showcased their prowess, clinching a commanding 1-2 finish in the Fuji 6 Hours race while simultaneously securing the prestigious 2023 World Endurance Championship (WEC) manufacturers’ title. The race was a rollercoaster of twists and turns, but Toyota’s relentless determination and strategic brilliance ultimately paved the way for their triumphant performance.

The #7 Toyota GR010 HYBRID, piloted by the formidable trio of Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway, and Jose Maria Lopez, emerged as the undeniable victor, crossing the finish line a staggering 39 seconds ahead of their fellow Toyota teammates, the #8 car, shared by Brendon Hartley, Ryo Hirakawa, and Sebastien Buemi. This Fuji 6 Hours victory not only marked their dominance in the Fuji 6 Hours but also solidified Toyota’s legacy as a WEC powerhouse, securing their ninth win at Fuji in the last ten attempts.

Porsche, Toyota’s fierce competitor, showed their mettle early in the race. The #6 Porsche, driven by Laurens Vanthoor, Kevin Estre, and Andre Lotterer, led the pack for nearly four hours, keeping Toyota at bay. Vanthoor’s audacious maneuver at the start of the race, slicing through the two Toyota front-runners at Turn 1, sent shockwaves through the track. Miguel Molina’s #50 Ferrari also staged an impressive surge from seventh place to snatch second position.

However, the dynamics of the race shifted rapidly. The safety car intervention, prompted by Luis Perez Companc’s mishap in the #83 Richard Mille Ferrari 488 GTE, provided an early twist. As the race resumed on lap 4, Vanthoor led the way for Porsche. Conway attempted to secure second place from Molina but ran wide, allowing James Calado’s Ferrari to seize the opportunity. Yet, Toyota’s Conway and Buemi soon regrouped, retaking their positions behind the leading Porsche.

Vanthoor, displaying remarkable prowess, extended his lead to 16 seconds in the second hour, which was trimmed to 11 seconds when Estre took the wheel in the third hour. It was Lopez, in the #7 Toyota, who started to gradually reel in Estre’s Porsche. Just as it seemed that Porsche had control of the race, fate took a surprising turn.

Hirakawa, piloting the #8 Toyota, executed a remarkable pass on Estre to take the lead at the Dunlop chicane, marking a pivotal moment in the race. The #7 Toyota then surged ahead of the Porsche during the ensuing pitstop cycle, with Hartley now at the helm.

What followed was a riveting battle as a mere five-second gap between the two Toyotas swiftly vanished. Kobayashi, behind the wheel of the #7 Toyota, made a decisive move at Turn 1, overtaking Hartley and securing the race lead. From there, Kobayashi’s dominance became insurmountable as he extended his lead, ultimately claiming victory with ease.

As the dust settled, Lotterer, who took over from Estre in the final stages of the race, realized that victory was slipping from Porsche’s grasp. Nevertheless, he drove the #6 Porsche across the finish line, securing Porsche’s second podium finish of the season after Portimao.

In contrast, Ferrari experienced a lackluster outing at Fuji, with their two cars finishing more than a lap down in fourth and fifth positions. Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen led Ferrari’s charge in the #50 Ferrari 499P.

Despite early challenges, the #38 JOTA Porsche crew, consisting of Antonio Felix da Costa, Will Stevens, and Yifei Ye, managed to finish sixth, showcasing their resilience on the track.

Peugeot, unfortunately, struggled to make an impact on the race, finishing seventh with Gustavo Menezes, Loic Duval, and substitute driver Stoffel Vandoorne at the helm.

In a race fraught with challenges and surprises, Toyota Gazoo Racing emerged triumphant, celebrating not only their 1-2 finish but also their clinching of the 2023 WEC manufacturers’ title before heading into the last round this November for the 8 Hours of Bahrain.