Fenestraz to Drive Toyota Hypercar in Bahrain Rookie Test

Sacha Fenestraz will get to sample Toyota Hypercar machinery for the first time in next month’s Bahrain FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test.

The SUPER GT race winner will make his first outing aboard the Toyota GR010 Hybrid in the one-day test that follows the 8 Hours of Bahrain.

It follows Fenestraz rejoining Toyota for a dual campaign in SUPER GT and Super Formula this season, the Argentine driver returning to Japanese competition after two seasons driving for Nissan in the ABB FIA Formula E championship.

Sharing a SARD-run Toyota GR Supra with Yuhi Sekiguchi, Fenestraz lies fifth in the SUPER GT standings heading into this weekend’s Motegi season finale, and also has scored one victory this year driving for TOM’S in Super Formula.

“It’s a nice opportunity,” Fenestraz told Sportscar365. “I’m excited to take my first steps in a prototype, as I have never driven this kind of car before, to experience a new category and also to drive at Bahrain for the first time.

“I always wanted to try a Hypercar, and I wouldn’t say no to racing one in the future. It is my dream to participate in a world championship. I think any driver would love to race in the WEC and at Le Mans, so I hope I can too at some point.”

Factory Lexus driver Ben Barnicoat will also make his second rookie test outing in Hypercar, having made a similar outing for Toyota in 2023.

Barnicoat became a full-time WEC driver this year with the Akkodis ASP Lexus team, albeit injury and clashes with his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship commitments for Vasser Sullivan Racing forced him to miss a number of races.