Two championship event wins in one weekend for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
From Japan to Wales
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing secured a one-two victory on home ground in the 6 Hours of Fuji, in round two of the WEC. Meanwhile, in Wales, rally driver Ott Tänak added to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s FIA World Rally Championship lead by claiming maximum points in Rally GB.
A convincing win at Fuji Speedway
Drivers Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley in the #8 TS050 HYBRID started in pole position and finished first, whilst the #7 car, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López finished second. The two car crews are now tied on the same points, and their success handicap will be increased for the next race, the 4 Hours of Shanghai on 10 November.
This is the seventh win for the team at Fuji Speedway in eight years, and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing now leads the teams' WEC standings by 35 points from Rebellion.
Excellent performance in north Wales
Setting the fastest time on the Power Stage in the Toyota Yaris WRC, Ott Tänak sealed his sixth win of the season. The Toyota Yaris WRC led the rally from start to finish, with team-mate Kris Meeke having set the early pace before Tänak took over at the front. Meeke finished fourth to complete a strong points haul for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, which closes to within eight points of the lead in the manufacturers’ championship.
The team are now preparing for their next race, the Rally de España, which starts on 24th October.
Looking ahead
There are six rounds left in the WEC and two rounds left for the WRC. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is aiming for victory in both championships, but as their drivers well know, nothing is certain until the final stretch of the final lap.