Preview: 6 hours of Fuji

Text: Rick Kiewiet

Images: WEC, Toyota

The FIA World Endurance Championship touched down in Japan for the 6 Hours of Fuji this weekend. Set at the foot of the majestic Mount Fuji, the Fuji Speedway is the second-shortest circuit on the calendar but features one of the longest straights in endurance racing (0.916 miles) — an ideal place for teams to push for top speeds. With just one more race after Fuji, the BAPCO 8 hours of Bahrain, this penultimate round is crucial for the championship contenders across both the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes.

Toyota’s dominance at its home race has been undeniable, with the Japanese marque winning nine of the last ten editions. However, 2024 has been anything but predictable. Each of the season’s six rounds so far has produced a different winner, underlining the competitiveness in the Hypercar field. Toyota comes into Fuji looking for a much-needed win on home soil, where the GR010 's power unit is developed, but the Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments could make this task more difficult.

BoP Adjustments

For the second round in a row, Toyota’s GR010 HYBRID will be heavier and slightly less powerful. With an increased minimum weight of 1070 kg—5 kg more than at the previous race in Texas—and a reduction in power under 250 km/h to 493kW, Toyota faces an uphill battle. However, they’ve been granted a power increase for speeds over 250 km/h, which could help them on Fuji’s long straight. The No. 7 car, driven by Kamui Kobayashi, Nyck de Vries, and Mike Conway, will hope to make this BoP shift work in their favor after narrowly missing a win at COTA due to a late penalty.

Other Hypercars have also seen adjustments. Alpine’s A424 has gained a kilo, while Peugeot’s 9X8 benefits from a 7 kg weight reduction, making it the lightest car in the field at 1030 kg. Porsche’s 963 is also lighter, and both Porsche and Cadillac see small power increases. With such fine margins, the BoP changes could have a significant impact on the race’s outcome.

Title Contenders Face Tight Margins

Toyota holds a narrow lead in the Constructors’ Championship, but the gap to Porsche is only 11 points, and Ferrari remains a strong contender with 128 points. In the Drivers’ Championship, Porsche’s André Lotterer, Kévin Estre, and Laurens Vanthoor cling to a 12-point lead over the No. 7 Toyota crew. Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen in the Ferrari No. 50 are also in the hunt, making Fuji a pivotal race for both titles.

Meanwhile, in the LMGT3 class, the Porsche 911 No. 92 of Manthey PureRxcing leads with unmatched consistency. However, the team must contend with 40 kg of success ballast, making them the heaviest car on the grid. Following its maiden win at COTA, the Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage will look to build momentum but also carries extra weight. With minor BoP adjustments across the field, the competition remains tight.

Race Details

The 6 Hours of Fuji starts at 4:00 am BST on Sunday, September 15. With title implications, fresh BoP adjustments, and the potential for unpredictable weather, the race promises to be a thrilling chapter in the 2024 WEC season. Toyota will be keen to defend its home turf, but the challengers—especially Porsche, Ferrari, and Peugeot—will be eager to capitalize on any slip-ups. Every lap will matter as the teams fight for precious championship points in both the Hypercar and LMGT3 categories. Expect strategy, endurance, and speed to determine the winner at Fuji.