Words and Photos by Gavin Oliva
Kazuki Nakajima, Brendon Hartley, and Sebastien Buemi take the checkered flag at Fuji International Speedway in the No. 8 Toyota TS050 Hybrid for Toyota Gazoo Racing and making it their first victory. After round 2, Toyota Gazoo Racing is firmly in the lead for this season's manufactures title.
The latest victory is bittersweet as this is the last time we will see Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid car race on home soil. It is making way for a new car in development by Toyota Gazoo Racing to meet the newly developed regulations set by the ACO and FIA for the 2020-2021 endurance racing season.
In the LMP2 Racing Team Nederland Giedo van der Garde, Frits Van Eerd, and Nyck de Vries at the helm of their #29 Oreca - Gibson snatched their first-ever win in the WEC in a spectacular battle.
The #38 JOTA ORECA of Roberto Gonzalez, Antonio Felix da Costa, and Anthony Davidson fought hard and took the second place on the podium.
Although later, according to a stewards' bulletin, it was found that the JOTA car's "outside neutral switch is unable to disconnect the transmission" in post-race scrutineering. The result of the infringement was a disqualification. JOTA has reserved the right to appeal so that the elimination will stand.
That means the #37 Jackie Chan DC Racing ORECA of Ho-Pin Tung, Gabriel Aubry, and Will Stevens now claims the second place win. Allowing the #22 United Autosports and Phil Hanson, Filipe Albuquerque, and Oliver Jarvis to move into third place.
Toyota wasn't the only big winner. Aston Martin Racing also took top honors in the LMGTE PRO class, the AMR #95 car driven by Nicki Thim and Marco Sorensen. Furthermore, TF Sports #90 car driven by Salih Yoluc, Charlie Eastwood, and Jonny Adam took the victory for the LMGTE AM class.
Congratulations once again to all the winners! Next up, we'll see you in Shanghai on November 7th for Round 3 of FIA WEC Season 8.