Under the floodlights of the Bahrain International Circuit, Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) brought the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship to a fitting crescendo. The 8 Hours of Bahrain unfolded with precision and passion, culminating in a flawless one-two finish for the team’s two GR010 Hypercars.
This victory not only capped a demanding season but also reaffirmed TGR’s unyielding pursuit of excellence in endurance racing.
The No. 7 car, piloted by Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries, held pole position’s promise, while the No. 8 entry with Sébastien Buemi, Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa mirrored its pace with quiet resolve.
As the hours unfolded, strategy became the silent architect of success. The teams alternated tire and fuel stops in the early stints, a calculated dance to conserve resources and maintain momentum. By the race’s midpoint, both cars lingered at the forefront, the No. 7 building a measured lead through Kobayashi’s disciplined laps. Yet endurance tests character, and the No. 8 faced its trial when a minor setback threatened to erode its position. Undeterred, Hirakawa and Hartley summoned their collective strength, weaving through traffic with stints that spoke of unbreakable teamwork. They clawed back into contention, turning adversity into advantage.
The final act brought drama under a late safety car, bunching the field for one last push. Nyck de Vries took the wheel of the No. 7 for the closing 80 minutes, his steady hand extending the gap. In the No. 8, Buemi fended off challengers with composure, crossing the line just 19.378 seconds adrift. The duo’s harmony sealed a ninth consecutive Bahrain triumph for TGR, a testament to their synergy.
Akio Toyoda, Chairman of TGR’s World Racing Team, captured the moment’s essence. “Congratulations to Kamui, Mike, and Nyck for the victory in Bahrain,” he said. “Thank you for continuing to fight without giving up.” His words resonate with the spirit that defines TGR, born in April 2015 to unify Toyota’s motorsport endeavors, from Formula One to the rugged trails of the World Rally Championship.
Rooted in the philosophy that roads shape people and people craft cars, TGR channels the rigors of racing into innovation. Lessons from Bahrain’s heat and haste will refine the updated GR010 Hypercar for 2026, where the driver lineups remain steadfast. Conway, Kobayashi, and de Vries enter their third season together, while Buemi, Hartley, and Hirakawa mark their fifth.
How was it on Race Day?
From the outset, the atmosphere pulsed with anticipation. Spectators lined the barriers, waving TGR flags in a sea of red and white, their cheers echoing as the race commenced. Mike Conway and Brendon Hartley launched from the front row, securing first and second places through a seamless start.
The No. 7 car, piloted by Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries, held pole position’s promise, while the No. 8 entry with Sébastien Buemi, Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa mirrored its pace with quiet resolve.
As the hours unfolded, strategy became the silent architect of success. The teams alternated tire and fuel stops in the early stints, a calculated dance to conserve resources and maintain momentum. By the race’s midpoint, both cars lingered at the forefront, the No. 7 building a measured lead through Kobayashi’s disciplined laps. Yet endurance tests character, and the No. 8 faced its trial when a minor setback threatened to erode its position. Undeterred, Hirakawa and Hartley summoned their collective strength, weaving through traffic with stints that spoke of unbreakable teamwork. They clawed back into contention, turning adversity into advantage.
The final act brought drama under a late safety car, bunching the field for one last push. Nyck de Vries took the wheel of the No. 7 for the closing 80 minutes, his steady hand extending the gap. In the No. 8, Buemi fended off challengers with composure, crossing the line just 19.378 seconds adrift. The duo’s harmony sealed a ninth consecutive Bahrain triumph for TGR, a testament to their synergy.
Akio Toyoda, Chairman of TGR’s World Racing Team, captured the moment’s essence. “Congratulations to Kamui, Mike, and Nyck for the victory in Bahrain,” he said. “Thank you for continuing to fight without giving up.” His words resonate with the spirit that defines TGR, born in April 2015 to unify Toyota’s motorsport endeavors, from Formula One to the rugged trails of the World Rally Championship.
Rooted in the philosophy that roads shape people and people craft cars, TGR channels the rigors of racing into innovation. Lessons from Bahrain’s heat and haste will refine the updated GR010 Hypercar for 2026, where the driver lineups remain steadfast. Conway, Kobayashi, and de Vries enter their third season together, while Buemi, Hartley, and Hirakawa mark their fifth.
