Toyota Dominates Bahrain: Nyck de Vries Poised for Victory with One Hour Remaining!
In a thrilling showdown at the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 8 Hours of Bahrain, Nyck de Vries has taken the reins with just one hour left on the clock, leading the charge in the #7 Toyota. With a commanding 30-second advantage over rival Nicklas Nielsen in the #50 Ferrari, de Vries is on the brink of securing Toyota’s first win of the 2025 WEC season. If successful, this victory will mark a significant milestone—Toyota’s first triumph since their winless year in 2015 during the LMP1 era!
As the clock ticks down, the pressure mounts. The #8 Toyota, driven by Brendon Hartley, sits in third place, trailing Nielsen by about eight seconds. Hartley holds a strategic advantage with an extra set of tires at his disposal after executing a double stint at the start of the race. This tactical move, unique among competitors, could prove critical as the race heads into its final laps.
Meanwhile, championship leader Alessandro Pier Guidi in the #51 Ferrari is in the mix as well. If the standings remain as they are, Pier Guidi, along with teammates James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi, will not only clinch the drivers’ championship but also secure the manufacturers’ championship for Ferrari—a monumental achievement for the iconic brand.
In the battle for supremacy, the two Peugeot entries are fighting tooth and nail, with Malthe Jakobsen in the #94 Peugeot ahead of Mikkel Jensen in the #83. Earlier in the race, Jakobsen showcased his defensive prowess against Ferrari’s Antonio Fuoco in an exhilarating duel that highlighted the contrasting strengths of each vehicle—Peugeot’s straight-line speed versus Ferrari’s cornering finesse. Despite Jakobsen’s valiant efforts, Fuoco eventually made his move, highlighting the relentless competition among the top teams.
The fight isn’t just limited to the front-runners. The #7 Alpine driven by Charles Milesi is holding steady in seventh, while Harry Tincknell in the #007 Aston Martin occupies the eighth spot. The sister car, #009 Aston Martin, once led the race but has since faded in the ranks, leaving fans of the British manufacturer disappointed.
Over in the LMGT3 category, Jose Maria Lopez continues to blaze a trail in the #87 ASP Lexus, maintaining his lead with teammates Clemens Schmid and Petru Umbrarescu. However, a nail-biting situation looms as they face a potential fuel crisis! With a mere eleven seconds separating them from the #92 Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche piloted by Riccardo Pera, Lopez’s team may need to make a last-minute pit stop for a quick splash of fuel—an agonizing prospect that could jeopardize their hard-earned lead. Maxime Martin in the #61 Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG is hot on their heels, just four seconds adrift, ready to capitalize on any mistakes.
As the final hour approaches, all eyes are on Toyota and their rivals, each team striving for glory on the asphalt battleground of Bahrain. Will de Vries hold onto his lead and deliver a historic victory for Toyota, or will the fierce competition snatch victory from his grasp? The excitement is palpable, and the stage is set for an unforgettable finish!








