WEC Japan: Davidon and Buemi power Toyota to victory at Fuji

After being eluded of race victory because of race restart rules in the FIA World Endurance Championship round in Austin, the #8 Toyota of Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi returned to the top spot on the podium at the WEC Japan round at Fuji.

The #7 Toyota of Alex Wurz, Kazuki Nakajima and Stephane Sarrazin took second to ensure a 1-2 finish for the Japanese manufacturer at home soil. The result also elevates the squad to the lead of the WEC manufacturers standings after Audis languished in fifth and sixth positions as the chequered flag was waved after the six hour mark.

The German luxury car manufacturer would leave Fuji disappointed having won the previous two WEC rounds including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Both R18 e-tron quattros suffered from loss of power during the first hour of the race, dropping them behind the LMP1-L cars of Rebellion Racing. With issue resolved, they recovered to finish fifth and sixth with the #1 car finishing ahead.

Mark Webber briefly took the lead at the start of the race in the #20 Porsche before a slow puncture necessitated an early pit stop. The Australian, along with Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard recovered enough to fill the final spot on the WEC podium. Marc Lieb brought home the #14 919 Hybrid in fourth place.

The Rebellion Racing prototypes were unchallenged by Lotus in the light weight prototype category with the #13 car of Kraihamer, Belicchi and Leimer heading Prost, Heidfeld and Beche in the sister R-One.

The privateers only LMP2 category saw a late change of race lead with G-Drive racing emerging victorious from KCMG trio. Oak Racing finished on the podium with Alex Brundle, Gustavo Yacaman and Keiko Ihara behind the wheel.

In the WEC GTE Pro category, Ferrari took a one-two finish with the #51 458 Italia heading home the #71 Ferrari of James Calado and Davide Rigon.

The GTE Amateur category saw Aston Martin reign supreme while the three Ferrari cars finished at the bottom of the standings. A customer Porsche occupied the final spot on the podium.

FIA WEC JAPAN LMP1 RESULTS

1) #8 Davidson, Buemi Toyota
2) #7 Wurz, Sarrazin, Toyota
3) #20 Webber, Hartley, Bernhard Porsche
4) #14 Dumas, Jani, Leib Porsche
5) #1 Di Grassi, Duval, Kristensen Audi
6) #2 Fassler, Lotterer, Treluyer Audi
7) #13 Leimer, Belicchi, Kraihamer Rebellion
8) #12 Heidfeld, Prost, Beche Rebellion
9) #9 Bouchut, Rossiter, Kaffer Lotus