6 Hours of Portimao: Toyota #8 takes dominant victory as LMP2 and GTE Am class battles go down to the wire

The #8 Toyota of Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa took a dominant victory at the 6 Hours of Portimao ahead of the #50 Ferrari.

It was a comfortable victory for the #8 Toyota after the #7 Toyota suffered a failed torque sensor in the opening hour, which put them in the garage.

As was the case in the season-opener, Toyota had a clear pace advantage on Ferrari, so the win was never in doubt and they won by over a lap.

“It’s been an awesome weekend from FP1 all the way until now,” said Hartley. “I felt for car #7. They were keeping us honest. They overtook us at the start, we got back in front and then they had a problem.

“I’m quite sure it would have been a tight finish as it always is between us, but for the team a big thanks, it’s been a really strong showing for the first two races.

“I’m still convinced the other guys are coming and I’m sure they are going to get their ducks in a row for Le Mans.”

Porsche Penske had their first World Endurance Championship podium as the #6 car finished third, from the #2 Cadillac and the #93 Peugeot.

LMP2 and GTE Am were much closer as a safety car for Jacques Villeneuve’s dramatic spin – due to a brake failure – caused a safety car with 65 minutes to go which bunched up the field.

Oliver Jarvis just held off Phil Hanson in the battle between the United Autosports machines, with the #41 Team WRT car rounding out the podium.

All eyes were on the fight for victory in GTE Am in the closing minutes as Nicky Catsburg in the #33 Corvette faced a late charge from the #83 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari of Alessio Rovera.

Rovera got alongside Catsburg on the final two laps at Turn 5, but couldn’t find a way past so Catsburg just held on to make it back-to-back wins for his car.

The 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is next on April 29, before the highlight of the season – the 24 Hours of Le Mans – and you can watch it all live on Eurosport and discovery+.