Toyota Seals WEC Manufacturers’ Title With Barcelona 1-2

Toyota secured the World Endurance Championship manufacturers’ title with one round remaining after its cars finished first and second in the six-hour race in Barcelona on October 18. The No. 8 Toyota, driven by Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa, won ahead of the sister No. 7 car, completing a result that put the championship beyond reach of its rivals. The No. 8 crew recorded its third victory of the season. It finished ahead of Toyota teammates Nyck de Vries, Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi in changeable wet and dry conditions. Ferrari’s No. 50 car, shared by Miguel Molina, Nicklas Nielsen and Antonio Fuoco, took third, more than half a minute behind the winner. The race began on a wet track, with Genesis briefly moving into the lead before Dani Juncadella went off at Turn 5. Buemi took the lead for Toyota. Safety-car periods interrupted the race, and Buemi’s five-second penalty for a start-procedure infringement briefly affected the No. 8 car’s position during pit stops. Hartley regained the lead after taking over, and Hirakawa brought the car home to complete the Toyota one-two. The manufacturers’ title is Toyota’s eighth in the championship, according to...