Mike Conway and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing head to the Bahrain International Circuit for a title showdown as the rollercoaster 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) season reaches its climax in the 8 Hours of Bahrain.
Mike heads into the weekend looking to do his part in the title fight for his #7 GR010 HYBRID teammates - Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries, who retain a slim chance of the drivers’ title but to do so, they must win the race, and hope the #6 Porsche crew fail to score points.
The weekend is also pivotal for the FIA WEC Manufacturers Championship, with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing looking to retain its manufacturers’ World Championship against strong competition from Ferrari and Porsche in the Hypercar category.
Last time out at the 6 Hours of Fuji, Mike and the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team endured a frustrating weekend at their home circuit, with a misfortunate on-track incident bringing a promising race day performance to a premature end.
The disappointing result from Fuji means the #7 crew will be looking to bounce back strongly this weekend on a circuit which has been a happy hunting ground for Mike and the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team. Mike boasts a mighty record in Bahrain, which has seen him claim two drivers' titles in 2019/20 and 2021, alongside five victories and six podiums since his competitive debut with the team in 2014.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing also has a formidable record at the Bahrain International Circuit, having won the last seven WEC races there, including six consecutive one-two finishes. In total they have won nine of its 12 races in the island kingdom, earning six pole positions and five front-row lock-outs in the process.
The 5.412km Bahrain International Circuit is the traditional venue for WEC’s season finale, having hosted the last race in eight of the 11 seasons since WEC’s return in 2012. Its 15-turn lay-out features a mix of high-speed and slower corners and is renowned for being abrasive with high grip levels, creating a particular challenge in terms of tyre management.
The GR010 HYBRIDs get their first taste of Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday 31 October when free practice begins with two 90-minute sessions, prior to a one-hour third practice on Friday afternoon. The starting grid will then be decided in qualifying and Hyperpole, which starts at 16:40 local time (13:40 GMT) later that day. The 8 Hours of Fuji will then get underway at 14:00 (11:00 GMT) on Saturday.
Mike Conway:
“I enjoy racing in Bahrain. It’s a fun track to drive and a place which has given me some great memories; I won my first race with Toyota back in 2014 as well as my two drivers’ titles there. As a team we also have a successful record in Bahrain and we want to keep that going this year, even though we expect another close fight because Porsche and Ferrari will be strong again. We’ll have to be at the top of our game, but we’ve prepared well and we’re looking forward to it.”
8 HOURS OF BAHRAIN - FIA WEC ROUND 8
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
Free Practice 1: 12:15 - 13:45
Free Practice 2: 17:30 - 19:00
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Free Practice 3: 12:00 - 13:00
Qualifying: 16:40 - 16:52
Hyperpole: 17:00 - 17:10
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 2
Race: 14:00 - 22:00
Times are local (GMT+3)
