Toyota drivers savor a “a little more special this year” WEC title

A title with a very special flavor. As in the last four seasons, it is Toyota who won the Drivers' title at the end of the 8 Hours of Bahrain, in addition to the Manufacturers' title already acquired at Fuji. And as in 2022, it's the trio Buemi – Hartley – Hirakawa who retained his world crown in WEC.

Easy winners of the last event of the year, on the Sakhir track, the crew of the No. 8 Toyota enjoyed a coronation with much greater prestige than in previous seasons. New competition in 2023, with the return of Classic Ferrari for sale, Porsche or Cadillac, makes this victory final “a little more special”, according to Sébastien Buemi.

“Winning ahead of all the other manufacturers who have joined the championship is very important for us. It gives a lot of credibility to the team for all the work accomplished over the last ten years, underlined the Swiss, titled for the fourth time in the WEC, during the press conference. Now that we have tough competition, we really want to show that we are the best. We had an almost perfect season… of course, Le Mans, it's hard to accept, but that's how it is. I'm already looking forward to next year, going to Qatar and returning to Le Mans to fight for victory. »

For Toyota, “It will get harder and harder every year”

For Brendon Hartley also, this is his fourth coronation in the World ChampionshipEndurance, his second with Toyota. The New Zealander, relieved by the acquisition of this new title, however warns that the competition will be tough in the seasons to come.  " I'm very proud ! It was a great competition, and we had a lot of pressure on our shoulders. We had to show how hard we have worked in recent years and that we are the benchmark. However, the others are closing in quickly and we cannot rest on our laurels. It will get harder and harder every year. » 

In Bahrain, if the No. 8 Toyota seemed to have had a quiet race at the front of the peloton – putting a lap on all its competitors until fourth – Sébastien Buemi still admitted to having had a few cold sweats, notably with its clutch.

“It all started with a bad night's sleep, I kept thinking about that first corner with the cold tires, he laughs, before continuing: We were lucky that the Cadillac didn't hit us (in the collision at the start, Editor's note). Of course, the #7 car was unlucky as it had to pass everyone after that. I tried to take care of the tires in the first stint, because we didn't know how careful to be at the start of the race. (…) We were a little stressed because we encountered a problem at the start with the clutch. Starting the car was hell! But we managed to win the race and the title at the same time! »

ALSO READ > The No. 8 Toyota crowned in Bahrain, the Iron Dames win in GTE