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Fuji

2016 WEC Fuji

Japan
Oct 14, 2016 to Oct 16, 2016
Fuji International Speedway, JP
Live text
WEC Fuji

Fuji WEC - Race

Live Text

Celebrations among the Toyota mechanics. What a victory.
Stevens brings it home to win the LMP2 class for G-Drive, Ford gets a one-two in GTE-Pro and Aston Martin gets it done in GTE-Am.
The #8 Audi is forced to settle for second - valuable points for that team - followed by the #1 Porsche.

Fourth place for the #5 Toyota, followed by the limping #2 Porsche.
Incredible stuff, incredible driving by Kobayashi to hold that gap on those old tyres. Wow.
Chequered Flag
Toyota WINS THE 6 HOURS OF FUJI!
Here comes Kobayashi out of the final corner - he's done it!
Halfway round the final lap, Kobayashi looks as if he's doing enough...
Over the line, the gap is still 1.9s, can Kobayashi pull it off?
Both cars hitting traffic, the next lap will be the last one...
Utterly nailbiting stuff, the Japanese commentator here at the circuit is getting very excited...
Two minutes left, 1.9s is the lead gap!
Webber is 14 seconds further back in third, the #1 Porsche's winning streak will be coming to an end today.
Kobayashi meanwhile with 4.3s in hand over Duval...
Scratch that, Stevens drafts past - legally this time - along the main straight to take back the lead with five minutes left!
Stevens is just behind Senna still, unable to quite line up an overtaking move.
Now the gap jumps to 5.3s - and the clock is ticking down fast. Seven minutes to go...
Uh-oh, maybe I spoke too soon about Toyota. Kobayashi only four seconds ahead now!
Headlights ablaze now as the sun begins to set on Fuji Speedway.
Senna still clinging on ahead of Stevens in LMP2, meanwhile, 0.4s separating the pair as we head for the final 10 minutes of this classic encounter.
Don't forget, Toyota hasn't won a WEC race since Bahrain 2014... and a win in front of the home fans will go some way to making up for that Le Mans heartbreak.
It's starting to look like Toyota might just pull this off, you know. Duval is still six seconds back from Kobayashi and lapping around the same pace.
So, Stevens is back in Senna's wheeltracks. Can he make the move again to snatch the LMP2 win?
Meanwhile, Kobayashi continues to lead, six seconds was the gap that time by with 20 minutes remaining.
Well, at least the race can go that way without it being ruined by a drive-through or timed penalty.
Penalty
Stevens is ordered to give the place back to Senna!
Nervous moments for the G-Drive crew now...
Then again, Stevens was well across the white line on the right-hand part of the main straight when he made his move.
That would be a big shame if that pass wasn't allowed to stand.
Now Stevens is under investigation for overtaking while exceeding track limits...
Replays show just how close Stevens was to the pitwall when he flew past Senna - with Brundle and Rusinov watching on from the pits!
Webber is five seconds behind Duval and still in with a sniff, although he needs to make his move soon.
Update on the lead Toyota gap: it's now down to 6.8s with 25 minutes left on the clock. This is a huge ask from Kobayashi.
And Lapierre is only another three seconds back, great action.
Stevens slipstreams by Senna along the main straight and back into the LMP2 lead!
Much more straightforward in the GTE classes, as Ford closes on a dominant one-two in Pro and the Aston Martin steamroller continues to destroy the opposition in Am.
In fact, Senna resumes just ahead of Stevens! The race for the LMP2 win is on!
Pit Stop
In comes Senna from the lead of LMP2, this will hand the advantage back to Stevens in the #26 G-Drive car.
So, it's a straight sprint finish to the flag in the final half-hour.

1) Kobayashi (#6 Toyota)
2) Duval (#8 Audi) +8.9s
3) Webber (#1 Porsche) +12.6s
4) Davidson (#5 Toyota) +30.6s
He slots back in third, just behind Duval.
Pit Stop
Lap 220, in comes Hartley in the #1 Porsche. Fuel and tyres, as Webber takes over driving duties.
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