Mike Conway and the #7 crew endured a bittersweet race day in Bahrain for the FIA WEC season finale, as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing secured yet another Manufacturers' title despite a mechanical issue which struck the #7 GR010 HYBRID, ultimately ending their promising challenge for race victory.
In a race that would ultimately decide both the drivers' and manufacturers' titles, the stage was set for an intense season finale, with both the #8 and #7 GR010 Hybrids leading the field away at the fall of the green flag.
Taking the start, Mike would remain calm and collected behind the wheel as the dramatic first lap unfolded in the Hypercar class. Briefly losing several positions at the start as he looked to navigate the opening stages, Mike would then climb into the top three by the end of the opening lap.
Holding his position as the race continued, Mike would remain at the sharp end of the pack as the #7 car emerged as a challenger for race victory in the desert, and soon he would hand over to Kamui Kobayashi with the #7 GR010 Hybrid in third place as it continued it's impressive start.
As the sun set in the fourth hour, Kamui’s bold overtaking elevated him to second and the stage was set for yet another exciting finale to a racing season which had seen plenty of action.
However, the #7 was hit by a fuel pump issue which intermittently reduced overall performance. Drivers, engineers and mechanics looked for a solution and, initially, appeared to have succeeded when Kamui closed the gap and Nyck De Vries took the lead via a superb pit stop from the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team. But unfortunately the trouble returned and the #7 soon slipped down the race order.
Considering the problem would require a lengthy repair, and the team took the tough decision to retire the #7 with just over two hours to go, in order to allow its crew members to support the #8 car’s ongoing challenge, further expressing their solidarity and ensuring the title triumph was a genuine team effort from all involved.
The disappointing result for Mike and the #7 crew, leaves Mike 6th in the final Drivers' standings on 77 points, with his teammates, Nyck and Kamui occupying 3rd place on 113 points respectively. However, the valiant season long effort from the #7 GR010 Hybrid with victory in Imola and a second place in Austin, alongside several healthy points hauls, ensured that TOYOTA GAZOO Racing secured their sixth Manufacturers' title after a superb season long battle.
Mike Conway:
“It was obviously a disappointing outcome for our car. We were very strong at some points and looking good to win, then we ran into the issue which unfortunately took us out of the race. But at least car #8 won and that means we achieved our target of winning the manufacturers’ World Championship. I am very happy for the team and for Toyota, and I’m also pleased for car #8 to win the race with such a strong drive at the end. We’ll all enjoy this moment.”
