A fourth World Endurance Championship title is on the cards for Brendan Hartley at this weekend’s 8 Hours of Bahrain, with the Kiwi and driving partners Sebastien Buemi and Ryo Hirakawa entering the final round of the season in the championship lead.
Their Toyota Gazoo Racing teammates, Jose Maria Lopez, Kamui Kobayashi and Mike Conway, sit 15 points behind, with a maximum of 39 points on offer at Bahrain International Circuit.
Both Ferrari AF Corse 499Ps lineups also remain in contention, with the #51 Le Mans winning trio of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi 31 points in arrear, and their #50 teammates of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen an outside chance at 36 points behind.
Toyota Gazoo Racing wrapped up the manufacturer’s title at the 6 Hours of Fuji, meaning all eyes are on the battle between the drivers.
“It’s a big race for us and hopefully a fitting end to the season for the team,” said Hartley. “It was great to win the manufacturers’ title in Japan because that allows us to focus on the battle in the drivers’ championship in Bahrain.
“Our teammates in car #7 have been really quick all season, and they will be tough competitors again.
“The other Hypercar teams are very competitive as well, which will make for another close fight at the front, but we have some good memories of title celebrations in Bahrain, and I hope we can enjoy another one on Saturday night.”
Hirakawa adds, “A year ago, Sébastien, Brendon and I won the World Championship in Bahrain, so of course, our target is to retain that title this weekend.
“We know what is needed in terms of the points, but with such close competition, we cannot take it easy. We need to work on the set-up in practice, especially because we need a compromise between the heat of the day and the cooler conditions in the night.
“Eight hours is a long race so the car balance and the tyre degradation will change a lot. We need to understand how the car reacts to find the best solution, and, as drivers, we need to be consistent, without mistakes.
“I know everyone is working hard to finish the season with another one-two, so let’s keep pushing.”
Hartley’s third title came at the same event with the same drivers last year, in addition to the 2015 crown he won with Mark Webber and Timo Bernhard and the 2017 title in partnership with Earl Bamber and Bernhard.
Bamber joins forces with Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook at Cadillac Racing for the event. The trio sit fifth in the standings, outside championship contention.
Twelve Hypercars will be in action, joined by 11 LMP2 entries and 13 LMGTEs.
Viewing information and times can be found in Velocity News’s weekly Motorsport Diary.
