TOYOTA GAZOO Racing achieved a notable start in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship at the Qatar 1812km race, finishing fifth and sixth with their GR010 HYBRID vehicles. This race marked the opening of the season in which the team aims to defend its titles. Exceptional teamwork and strategy were evident, despite the challenges of the race, setting the stage for future improvements and competitions.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing commenced the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with a commendable performance at the Qatar 1812km race held at the Lusail International Circuit. Both of the team’s GR010 HYBRID vehicles secured a top-six finish, a significant achievement amidst a challenging race environment. This race forms the initial round out of eight for the season, as the team aims to defend its manufacturers’ World Championship and reclaim the drivers’ title, in addition to victory at Le Mans.
Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa finished fifth in the 8 GR010 HYBRID, demonstrating resilience after a tough qualifying session. Meanwhile, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries finished closely behind in sixth place in their 7 GR010 HYBRID. Starting from seventh and seventeenth positions respectively, the drivers made significant progress, entering the top six as the second hour concluded.
As the race unfolded, especially following two closely timed safety car periods, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team remained focused, avoiding any major mishaps. Kamui Kobayashi successfully passed the 5 Porsche, advancing to seventh place, while Sébastien and Brendon consistently improved their standings, ultimately gaining positions as evening fell over Lusail. The drivers showcased exceptional teamwork and strategy, with Kamui overtaking Brendon in the latter part of their stints, positioning the two vehicles strongly for the race’s conclusion.
Despite a spirited effort, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team could not contend for the overall victory, concluding the race with both vehicles in strong positions. This result yielded a total of 33 World Championship points, placing the team third in the manufacturers’ standings. The drivers expressed pride in their performance and the team’s effort, acknowledging the need for improvements ahead of the next race at the 6 Hours of Imola on April 20.
Kamui Kobayashi remarked on the race, stating, “Congratulations to Ferrari for their one-two-three. We tried our best, but we couldn’t do more than that. The team did a great job today.” Mike Conway noted the results were perhaps better than anticipated given the team’s performance leading into the race, while Sébastien Buemi expressed satisfaction with the team’s execution despite missing a podium finish. Brendon Hartley highlighted the collective accomplishment of both cars finishing in the top six, emphasizing the potential to improve at future races. Lastly, Ryo Hirakawa reflected positively on the team’s effort and performance despite the week’s challenges.
In summary, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing delivered a robust start to the 2025 WEC season with both units finishing in the top six at the Qatar 1812km race. While they could not secure a podium finish, the team demonstrated strong resilience, strategic planning, and collaborative effort. Moving forward, the drivers and team are committed to improving their performance as they prepare for the next challenge at the 6 Hours of Imola, aiming to enhance their standings in the championship race.
Original Source: newsroom.toyota.eu
