Fuji frustration for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing faced a disappointing race at the 6 Hours of Fuji, with the #8 car finishing 10th due to a late penalty.
- The #7 car, which was leading, retired from the race due to accident damage, ending their championship challenge.
- The team is now focused on the final race in Bahrain, where they aim to close the 10-point gap to Porsche in the manufacturers' championship.
On September 17, 2024, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing faced a challenging race at the 6 Hours of Fuji, part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Despite a strong performance from drivers Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa in the #8 GR010 HYBRID, a late penalty relegated them to 10th place. Meanwhile, the #7 GR010 HYBRID, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries, led the race until an accident forced their retirement, ending their championship hopes. The race was attended by 65,800 fans, who witnessed a dramatic contest that saw the team struggle with pace compared to their competitors. The team had hoped to execute a perfect strategy to secure points for both the drivers' and manufacturers' championships, but circumstances did not favor them. The loss of points from the #7 car was particularly detrimental, as it impacted their standings in the championship. Despite the disappointing outcome, the team remains focused on the final race in Bahrain on November 2, where they are just 10 points behind Porsche in the manufacturers' standings. The drivers expressed their disappointment but also their determination to fight back in the upcoming race, acknowledging the support from fans and partners. The team’s performance at Fuji highlighted the challenges they faced throughout the weekend, including issues with race pace. As they prepare for the final showdown, the team is committed to improving and reclaiming their position in the championship standings.