This weekend sees the FIA WEC take on its penultimate round at Fuji for the 6 Hours. Championships are still wide open, so who will finish the six-hour race on top? Here's your guide to the weekend.
Image credit: FIA WEC Press site
Over the course of 2023, the FIA World Endurance Championship has grown in popularity following the addition of several new top-class teams. However, after many battles, intense race finishes and some heart warming results, the season is coming to its end.
Just two races remain as the championship kicks off its fly away rounds. This weekend sees the FIA WEC grid form once again in Japan for the Fuji 6 Hours. Indeed, two months after the thrilling Monza meeting, it's time to hit the track in the land of the rising sun.
One championship in the form of GTE Am may be signed, sealed and delivered. But both the LMP2 and Hypercar classes are still undecided. Could this penultimate race of the season see titles secured? Find out in our comprehensive preview of all three classes.
Despite this early claim on the title by Corvette, the GTE Am field has been close all-year. Indeed, battles seemingly rage on right until the chequered flag at most rounds meaning no-one really knows who will take home the silverware.
One team that, through a lack of luck and small inconsistencies, has never claimed a top podium spot is the Iron Dames. This all-female squad has consistently challenged at the front of the field thanks to fantastic qualifying pace from Sarah Bovy. However, when push comes to shove at the end of a race, they are always only just edged out of the lead.
With less on the line now the championship is secured, will Bovy, Gatting and Frey manage to break their duck? Only time will tell. But with a packed field of 13 cars including the ominous arrival of Northwest AMR in Heart of Racing colours, nothing is certain.
That being said, several outfits will be eager to get a leg up on the way into the final round of the season. Not only that, but the final FIA WEC round for the LMP2 cars in general. Currently, it is the #41 WRT car of Andrade, Kubica and Delétraz that leads the way. However, five teams are still in theoretical contention.
Whilst WRT as a unit has been extremely strong throughout the season, the likes of United Autosport and Alpine have ramped up pressure in recent rounds. As a result, one must keep an eye on the LMP2 battle. The #41, #22, #23 and #36 as well as the #34 of Inter Europol are all in the fight.
With identical Oreca 07 cars going head-to-head, race results often come down to strategy. Therefore, try to keep track of when each outfit pits in order to better follow the true order.
But with the series arriving in Fuji, home of Toyota, the Japanese brand may well claim the title on home turf. Indeed, the #8 of Hartley, Hirakawa and Buemi needs a 15-point gain on both the #7 Toyota and #51 Ferrari to claim the title.
However, with teams gaining more and more experience throughout the year, more challengers could well throw a spanner in Toyota's operation. Indeed, Monza and Le Mans both showcased the pace of the fan favourite Peugeot 9X8 on the straights. What is it that dominates much of Fuji's layout? Ah yes, a long main straight.
Further down the order, Porsche's second customer team Proton will be anxious to gather further data on its 963 LMDh as it prepares for a full assault in 2024. But it's Hertz Team JOTA that continues to challenge the manufacturer giants with promising pace in its first three races.
Indeed, being in Japan, session times will shock Europeans as everything happens early in the morning for us. The first session to feature live broadcasting this weekend is Free Practice 3. It will air live to the WEC YouTube channel. For Qualifying and the race, one will have to either load Eurosport or purchase the WEC TV subscription for the weekend. You can find all session times in CET here
Free Practice 3: Saturday 9 September, 3:20am CET
Qualifying: Saturday 9 September, 7:40am CET
Fuji 6 Hours: Sunday 10 September, 4:00am CET
Will you be watching this weekend's Fuji 6 Hours endurance action? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
Image credit: FIA WEC Press site
Over the course of 2023, the FIA World Endurance Championship has grown in popularity following the addition of several new top-class teams. However, after many battles, intense race finishes and some heart warming results, the season is coming to its end.
Just two races remain as the championship kicks off its fly away rounds. This weekend sees the FIA WEC grid form once again in Japan for the Fuji 6 Hours. Indeed, two months after the thrilling Monza meeting, it's time to hit the track in the land of the rising sun.
One championship in the form of GTE Am may be signed, sealed and delivered. But both the LMP2 and Hypercar classes are still undecided. Could this penultimate race of the season see titles secured? Find out in our comprehensive preview of all three classes.
Dames Win in GTE Am?
As aforementioned, the GTE Am driver's championship is well and truly done. Thanks to consistency throughout the season so far and a tremendous fight in Monza last time out, the #33 Corvette Racing team of Keating, Varrone and Catsburg are the final GTE world champions. As a result, fans can spend less time focusing on standings predictions and more time worrying about the race lead.Despite this early claim on the title by Corvette, the GTE Am field has been close all-year. Indeed, battles seemingly rage on right until the chequered flag at most rounds meaning no-one really knows who will take home the silverware.
One team that, through a lack of luck and small inconsistencies, has never claimed a top podium spot is the Iron Dames. This all-female squad has consistently challenged at the front of the field thanks to fantastic qualifying pace from Sarah Bovy. However, when push comes to shove at the end of a race, they are always only just edged out of the lead.
With less on the line now the championship is secured, will Bovy, Gatting and Frey manage to break their duck? Only time will tell. But with a packed field of 13 cars including the ominous arrival of Northwest AMR in Heart of Racing colours, nothing is certain.
LMP2 Tackles the Fuji 6 Hours
Much like the GT class, LMP2 has been fierce all season-long. However, with fortune favouring a new car each round, the title standings are much closer. In fact, it is mathematically impossible for any team to secure the title before the final race in Bahrain.That being said, several outfits will be eager to get a leg up on the way into the final round of the season. Not only that, but the final FIA WEC round for the LMP2 cars in general. Currently, it is the #41 WRT car of Andrade, Kubica and Delétraz that leads the way. However, five teams are still in theoretical contention.
Whilst WRT as a unit has been extremely strong throughout the season, the likes of United Autosport and Alpine have ramped up pressure in recent rounds. As a result, one must keep an eye on the LMP2 battle. The #41, #22, #23 and #36 as well as the #34 of Inter Europol are all in the fight.
With identical Oreca 07 cars going head-to-head, race results often come down to strategy. Therefore, try to keep track of when each outfit pits in order to better follow the true order.
Toyota Title at Home?
The 2023 season has seen additions from Porsche, Ferrari, Cadillac and Vanwall. As a result, the Hypercar class is attracting huge numbers to the FIA WEC. And the fights within the class are certainly doing their job to retain viewers. Those that experienced the constant evolution of Le Mans will still be in shock. Furthermore, the last lap pass for the podium of Spa went down in history.But with the series arriving in Fuji, home of Toyota, the Japanese brand may well claim the title on home turf. Indeed, the #8 of Hartley, Hirakawa and Buemi needs a 15-point gain on both the #7 Toyota and #51 Ferrari to claim the title.
However, with teams gaining more and more experience throughout the year, more challengers could well throw a spanner in Toyota's operation. Indeed, Monza and Le Mans both showcased the pace of the fan favourite Peugeot 9X8 on the straights. What is it that dominates much of Fuji's layout? Ah yes, a long main straight.
Further down the order, Porsche's second customer team Proton will be anxious to gather further data on its 963 LMDh as it prepares for a full assault in 2024. But it's Hertz Team JOTA that continues to challenge the manufacturer giants with promising pace in its first three races.
How to Watch the FIA WEC Fuji 6 Hours
All in all, the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Fuji is set to be a fantastic race with three classes all going hell for leather. Championships are on the line and pace is looking close in the first pair of practice sessions this morning.Indeed, being in Japan, session times will shock Europeans as everything happens early in the morning for us. The first session to feature live broadcasting this weekend is Free Practice 3. It will air live to the WEC YouTube channel. For Qualifying and the race, one will have to either load Eurosport or purchase the WEC TV subscription for the weekend. You can find all session times in CET here
Free Practice 3: Saturday 9 September, 3:20am CET
Qualifying: Saturday 9 September, 7:40am CET
Fuji 6 Hours: Sunday 10 September, 4:00am CET
Will you be watching this weekend's Fuji 6 Hours endurance action? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
