World Endurance Championship: Toyota take dream one-two win in opening round of season in Sebring

The opening round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship season was won by reigning Hypercar World Champions Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Toyota made a dream start to the campaign with a one-two finish at the 1000 Miles of Sebring, with Kamui Kobayashi driving the No. 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid Hypercar he shared with Mike Conway and Jose Maria Lopez to success.

Kobayashi was 2.168s quicker than the sister No. 8 car driven by Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa.

The No. 8 car led for the opening half of the race but No.7 would prove successful following a particularly impressive out-lap in the fifth hour. It is Toyota’s 40th win in the WEC.

It was a day to remember for Ferrari as the team took its first-ever podium finish – adding to Thursday’s maiden pole position – as the 499P Hypercar crewed by Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen and Miguel Molina claimed third place.

Ferrari edged out the No. 2 Cadillac Racing squad of Alex Lynn, Earl Bamber and Richard Westbrook.

Fifth place was taken by Penske Porsche Motorsport, with the No. 5 car steered by Frederic Makowiecki, Michael Christensen and Dane Cameron finishing 23.977s ahead of the sister No. 6 driven by Laurens Vanthoor, Andre Lotterer and Kevin Estre.

In seventh was the No. 51 Ferrari AF Corse 499P after the Hypercar was forced into the pits for lengthy repairs with just two hours of the race left following contact with the No.54 AF Corse Ferrari LMGTE Am entry.

The sole Floyd Vanwall Racing Team entry of Jacques Villeneuve, Tom Dillmann and Esteban Guerrieri secured eighth place on its debut in the WEC’s Hypercar category.

Peugeot TotalEnergies rounded out the top 10 with the No. 93 finishing ninth ahead of the sister No. 94 Peugeot 9X8 after what was a difficult day for the team.

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