Brendon Hartley claimed his first World Endurance Series pole in over two years, putting the No.8 Toyota on the number one grid spot for the Six Hours of Bahrain.
Hartley’s fastest lap was a 1.47.049s, a little under four tenths quicker than what the sister Toyota could achieve.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Hartley said after the session.
The result is his first WEC pole since the Fuji round in the 2019/20 season.
Until qualifying, the No.7 Toyota was the quickest of the two hypercars.
The No.8 also ran into minor hiccups, such as making contact with one of the GTE Ferraris in practice.
However, Hartley and the No.8 came through when the team needed it most.
“It was a nice lap,” he said.
Hartley and co-drivers Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima are now eight points behind the No.7 in the championship standings with two rounds remaining.
“It was a great team effort, and we are taking the fight to the No.7.
“We have one point back off them, we’re trying to win the championship in this friendly rivalry.”
The other New Zealander in the field, Jaxon Evans, starts 27th overall and ninth in the GTE-Am class.
The Six Hours of Bahrain begins at 9 pm NZT tonight.
