Buemi credits Fuji win for Toyota's WEC drivers' title

Sebastien Buemi has named the victory at Fuji as the key moment in helping himself, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa secure the FIA World Endurance Championship drivers' title. The No. 8 Toyota TR010 Hybrid gambled on strategy by not changing tyres and short fuelling after a late safety car, moving ahead of the two Alpine A424s that had dominated until then. The car went on to win again at Barcelona.

The trio entered the Monza finale with a 17-point lead, meaning the sister No. 7 Toyota needed to finish first or second to contest the crown. The No. 8 car finished 11th and 12th, a lap down on the leaders, which was enough to secure the title. Buemi said the win carried extra meaning against a Hypercar field of seven rival manufacturers.

Hartley said the crew had bounced back from the disappointment of losing the Le Mans win to the No. 7 car. Toyota technical director David Floury said the title had effectively been decided before the Monza race because of the TR010's lack of pace.