The 2023 FIA World Endurance Champions will be crowned in Bahrain this weekend following the season-closing Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain (2-4 November). It will also be the final race for the LMP2 and LMGTE Am categories.
Three endurance titles will be decided in the Middle East including the Hypercar Drivers’ Championship and the LMP2 Teams and Drivers’ Championships. With just 15 points separating the leading No. 8 Toyota Gazoo Racing crew and the sister No. 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid Hypercar and a total of 39 points available, it is still all to play for in Bahrain.
Ferrari AF Corse’s James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi, driving the No. 51 Ferrari 499P, are still in the running for the drivers’ title. Although they are 31 points behind the No. 8 Toyota, they maintain their chances should Toyota falter. With 97 points, the sister No. 50 Ferrari 499P Hypercar still has a mathematical chance of taking the title.
Thirty-six cars will tackle the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit which has formed a round of the FIA WEC since its inception back in 2012. Bahrain is a circuit which has a bit of everything – long straights, tight corners, elevation changes and ample overtaking opportunities. It is also well-known for its high tyre degradation where nearly 48% of the lap is travelled with a fully-open throttle.