Victory and World Championship Triumph for Sébastien Buemi at the 8 Hours of Bahrain

Sébastien Buemi capped off an incredible 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with a hard-fought race victory and manufacturers’ World Championship title for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in the thrilling season finale at the 8 Hours of Bahrain.

Buemi, driving the #8 GR010 HYBRID alongside teammates Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa, delivered a heroic performance that saw him charge through the field to secure the team’s sixth consecutive manufacturers’ championship. Starting from pole, Sébastien was immediately thrust into battle, and despite early setbacks—including a spin after being hit from behind by a GT car that dropped him down to seventh—he quickly began a relentless push to keep the team’s championship hopes alive.

The race was far from straightforward for Buemi and the #8 crew. Following a strong start, Buemi’s race momentum was temporarily halted, but his resilience and determination shone through as he fought back to rejoin the leaders. Brendon and Ryo took over driving duties, expertly managing tire degradation and maintaining the #8’s position in the top six. The team’s title chances remained uncertain until two safety car periods late in the race tightened the field, offering Buemi an opportunity to strike.
With just over an hour left, Sébastien took the wheel once again, sitting in 10th place but only 15 seconds from the race leader. His exceptional skill and focus allowed him to close the gap in a stunning drive, passing multiple rivals and positioning himself in second place after his final pit stop. In the final half-hour of the season, Buemi made his move, overtaking the #5 Porsche to take the lead, and ultimately crossing the finish line with a commanding 27-second margin—securing his and the #8 car's second victory of the season.

While Buemi and the #8 team celebrated victory, the race also held heartbreak for the #7 GR010 HYBRID driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries. The #7 had shown promising pace and even held the lead mid-race, but a fuel pump issue forced the team to retire the car, ending any chance for the drivers’ title. Despite the setback, the #7 team rallied to support Buemi and the #8, demonstrating remarkable sportsmanship and teamwork that helped bring the championship home.
Reflecting on a demanding season of 72 hours of racing across eight rounds on four continents, Buemi’s victory in Bahrain not only secured Toyota’s manufacturers’ championship but underscored his tenacity and commitment as a driver. This win, marking TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's 10th victory in Bahrain, capped a season that included five podium finishes, three race wins, and two pole positions, cementing Buemi’s position as a critical player in the team’s ongoing WEC success.

As TOYOTA GAZOO Racing celebrates its achievement, Buemi extends congratulations to new drivers’ World Champions Kévin Estre, Andre Lotterer, and Laurens Vanthoor and commends all WEC competitors for a memorable season.

“It’s crazy to think we won the race considering how it was going at some point. Against all the odds, with issues, penalties and bad luck it’s an amazing feeling for the team to win the World Championship. That was our target here and we’ve achieved it thanks to a brilliant effort from the team. When our car was down in 10th, we were going to the back of the Hypercar field during the pit stops and I thought we were done. But my team-mates did a good job hanging on with the old tyres and that meant I had a tyre advantage at the end. When it mattered today, we did a good job together and I am so pleased for the whole team.” - Sébastien Buemi