TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Achieves Strong Finish in Qatar 1812km Race

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing achieved a strong performance at the Qatar 1812km race, with both cars finishing in the top six. Despite challenges faced during the event, effective teamwork and strategy resulted in a valuable points haul. The team is third in the manufacturers’ standings and aims to enhance performance at the 6 Hours of Imola race.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing secured a commendable performance in the Qatar 1812km race, part of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), by finishing both cars in the top six. Competing at the Lusail International Circuit, this race is the opening event of the season, where the team is aiming to defend its manufacturers’ championship, reclaim the drivers’ title, and achieve further success at Le Mans. Through strong teamwork among the drivers, engineers, and mechanics, they executed a double points finish despite challenges faced during the race.

In the race, Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa drove the 8 GR010 HYBRID to a fifth-place finish after overcoming a challenging qualification. Meanwhile, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries in the 7 GR010 HYBRID rounded out the race in sixth. From their starting positions of seventh and seventeenth respectively, both crews advanced to the top six during the race’s second hour amidst various incidents.

As the race progressed, strategic decisions and resilient driving allowed the team to capitalize on competitors’ misfortunes. The two safety car periods introduced significant shifts in positioning, and both cars managed to maintain their standings and avoid substantial issues. Eventually, Kamui and Sébastien found themselves competing strongly in the top six before the conclusion of the race, resulting in a significant points haul despite Ferrari’s dominant performance finishing first, second, and third.

Post-race reflections from the drivers highlighted the team’s efforts despite missed opportunities for a podium finish. Kamui Kobayashi emphasized the need for performance improvements, while Mike Conway perceived the point accrued as exceeding initial expectations. Nyck de Vries noted a positive outcome given their pre-race struggles. Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley praised the team’s flawless execution and strategy, while Ryo Hirakawa expressed pride in their mistake-free race and successful pit stops.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing concluded the event third in the manufacturers’ standings, looking forward to enhancing their performance at the upcoming 6 Hours of Imola race on April 20. The team aims to capitalize on the insights gained from this race to advance their title aspirations further in the championship.

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In summary, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing delivered a strong performance in the Qatar 1812km race, finishing both vehicles in the top six. Although they faced challenges in their competitiveness against Ferrari, strategic execution allowed them to score valuable points. With determination to improve, the team prepares for the next race in pursuit of their championship goals.

Original Source: newsroom.toyota.eu