The 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship kicked off in style at the 1000 Miles of Sebring, part of a double header weekend with the IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring following Saturday. This year’s event held special significance, as four new manufacturers (Porsche, Cadillac, Ferrari, and Vanwall) joined the hypercar class, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive season alongside returning manufacturers Toyota, Glickenhaus, and Peugeot.
The surprise of the weekend came during qualifying, when Ferrari’s #50 499P hypercar set a blistering lap, earning pole position and raising expectations for their return. With a stacked grid of manufacturers, Ferrari’s performance signaled that the 2023 season could offer some unpredictable results in the hypercar class.
Into the race an early safety car reshuffled the race strategy, forcing the Ferrari to pit and allowing the two Toyota GR010 Hybrids to take command of the race. From there, Toyota’s dominance became the defining story of the race. By the two-hour mark, the Toyotas had built a substantial gap over the rest of the field, establishing a clear 1-2 lead that would carry them through much of the race.
As the hours passed, it became evident that the 1000 Miles of Sebring had evolved into an intra-team battle between the two Toyota entries. Both the #7 and #8 GR010 Hybrids traded fastest laps and vied for supremacy, steadily increasing the gap over Ferrari and the rest of the hypercar field.
By the final pit stop, the #7 Toyota held a 23 second advantage over its sister car. Despite a strong push from the #8, it was the #7 GR010 Hybrid that ultimately crossed the finish line first, securing a narrow two-second victory after 1,000 miles of relentless racing.
Ferrari’s #50 499P, despite their early setback, managed to recover and claim the final spot on the podium, signaling a promising return to endurance racing for the Italian manufacturer.
As the 2023 WEC season begins, Toyota’s commanding performance at Sebring underscores their continued dominance in endurance racing’s top class. But with Ferrari’s return and a host of new manufacturers entering the hypercar category, the stage is set for a thrilling and unpredictable championship ahead.
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