Toyota Gazoo Racing has taken a significant step towards securing the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship Manufacturers’ title, locking out the front row in qualifying for the season-ending 8 Hours of Bahrain.
Brendon Hartley, in the #8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid, secured pole position, continuing Toyota’s dominance at the Bahrain International Circuit. Hartley, along with his teammates Sébastien Buemi and Ryō Hirakawa, will aim to convert pole into victory, a feat yet to be achieved by a Hypercar crew this season.
Nyck de Vries in the #7 Toyota qualified second, just behind Hartley. Ferrari’s Antonio Giovinazzi narrowly missed out on the front row, securing third place in the 499P.
Porsche’s Neel Jani, driving for Proton Competition, claimed fourth position. Antonio Fuoco in the #50 Ferrari edged out Kévin Estre in the championship-leading #6 Porsche for fifth place, setting the stage for a thrilling battle for the Drivers’ title.
In the LMGT3 class, United Autosports secured a front-row lockout with Joshua Caygill and James Cottingham. François Heriau in the Ferrari 296 GT3, Sarah Bovy in the Lamborghini Huracán, and Aliaksandr Malykhin in the Porsche 911 GT3 R completed the top five.
The 8 Hours of Bahrain will take place on Saturday, November 2nd, with the race starting at 14:00 local time.