Sébastien Buemi Shines at Le Mans 24 Hours with Stellar Performance

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's #8 GR010 HYBRID, with Sébastien Buemi at the helm alongside teammates Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa, delivered an extraordinary performance during the 92nd edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours, the fourth round of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Despite facing challenging conditions and intense competition, Sébastien Buemi showcased his exceptional skill and determination, leading significant portions of the race and ultimately finishing in a commendable fifth place.

Starting from the back of the Hypercar grid, Sébastien Buemi's expertise was evident early on as he navigated through the field with precision. Rain showers during the second and sixth hours added to the race's complexity, but Buemi's driving excellence allowed the #8 car to assert itself as a strong contender for the podium.

Buemi's pivotal role in the team's success was highlighted during the night, as Ryo Hirakawa's stellar performance in the rain, combined with Buemi's strategic driving, propelled the #8 car into the lead from the ninth to the 18th hour. This period of dominance was maintained despite varying pit stop strategies and four hours of continuous safety car intervention due to heavy rain.

As the race intensified, Buemi and his teammates continued to challenge for the top spot. A crucial moment came when Brendon Hartley brought the #8 into the lead, battling the #50 Ferrari amidst more rain. However, with just two hours remaining, the #8 car suffered a setback when it was pushed into a spin by the #51 Ferrari, causing it to drop to sixth.

Throughout the race, Sébastien Buemi's unwavering focus and exceptional driving skills were on full display. His ability to navigate through each challenge with precision and determination was instrumental in the team's strong finish. In the end, Buemi brought the #8 car across the finish line in fifth place, a testament to his remarkable effort and competitive spirit.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's performance at Le Mans was marked by extraordinary teamwork, strategic brilliance, and exceptional driving skills, with Sébastien Buemi playing a central role. His journey through the race, from a challenging start to a strong finish, highlights his dedication and mastery in endurance racing. While victory eluded the team this year, Buemi's relentless pursuit and ability to overcome adversity set a high standard for the sport.

“I am a bit disappointed to finish fifth to be honest. We were leading the race for a long time and without the incident late on I think we could have won. We had strong pace and didn’t make any mistakes so it’s frustrating how it turned out. The team did a great job, Brendon and Ryo drove really well and the engineers made the right strategy calls, so I think we performed well. Now we just have to work hard for the next race in Brazil.” Sébastien Buemi