Toyota GAZOO Racing delivered a perfect end to their 2024 World Endurance Championship campaign with a dominant one-two finish at the 8 Hours of Bahrain, closing out the season in commanding fashion.
The #7 Toyota crew crossed the finish line after 237 laps and 8 hours, 1 minute, and 8.626 seconds of racing, averaging 164.76 km/h around the Bahrain International Circuit. Their teammates in the #8 Toyota followed home 19.378 seconds behind, securing a comprehensive manufacturer victory.
Ferrari AF Corse put both their Hypercars on the podium, with the #50 entry finishing third just 26.342 seconds behind the winning Toyota. The Italian manufacturer's strong showing continued with the #51 Ferrari placing fourth, separated from their sister car by a mere 0.162 seconds.
The battle for fifth place saw AF Corse's #83 Ferrari claim the position, finishing 39.729 seconds off the lead. Cadillac Hertz Team Jota's #12 entry rounded out the top six, less than a second behind the third Ferrari.
The race featured strong representation from 14 different manufacturers across the Hypercar class, showcasing the competitive depth of the premier WEC category. Alpine Endurance Team placed both cars in the points-paying positions, with their #35 and #36 entries finishing 11th and 12th respectively.
Porsche Penske Motorsport endured a challenging race, with both their #6 and #5 entries finishing outside the top ten after completing only 236 laps. The German manufacturer's difficulties were compounded by Aston Martin's second entry, the #007, also struggling to match the pace of the frontrunners.
The fastest lap of the race belonged to the #7 Toyota with a time of 1:50.410, set on lap 221 as the crew pushed to maintain their advantage in the closing stages. This performance capped off a dominant display from the Japanese manufacturer.
Cadillac's #38 entry and Proton Competition's #99 Porsche both finished two laps behind the leaders, highlighting the significant gap that developed between the frontrunners and the midfield throughout the eight-hour endurance test.
The Bahrain finale showcased the strength and reliability of Toyota's Hypercar package, delivering consistent performance across both entries while their main rivals faced various challenges throughout the extended race distance.
With this victory, Toyota concludes their 2024 WEC campaign on a high note, demonstrating the competitiveness that has made them a consistent threat in the championship's premier class. The comprehensive nature of their 1-2 finish sets high expectations for the Japanese manufacturer heading into the 2025 season.
