The #81 Corvette trio started the weekend strongly, posting the second-fastest time in Free Practice 1 before finishing in the top three again in the final practice session. In qualifying, Bronze driver van Rompuy delivered a superb lap that earned the team a place in Hyperpole. Andrade then took over and, with a last-second flying lap, pushed the car into P7 on the grid.
The race itself was a rollercoaster, with numerous Full Course Yellows and Safety Car interruptions making strategy unpredictable. While the TF Sport crew worked tirelessly in the garage to refine the strategy, Andrade, van Rompuy, and Eastwood delivered a flawless, incident-free run. The Angolan driver impressed with a strong double stint, keeping the car firmly inside the top 10, although at that stage a victory still seemed out of reach.
The turning point came during Eastwood’s stint. After a pit stop from fourth place, the Irishman rejoined in P2 but looked short on time to mount a challenge for the lead. Then, in a dramatic twist, a last-lap penalty for the race-leading Ferrari handed the #81 Corvette a sensational and hard-fought victory.
This triumph follows an already impressive campaign by the #81 TF Sport squad: a third-place finish at Le Mans, second place at São Paulo, and a difficult outing at COTA before finally conquering the top step of the podium in Japan. The result also marks Andrade’s second career win at Fuji Speedway, having claimed LMP2 victory there in 2023.
This is Rui’s fifth class win and his thirteenth podium finish in the World Endurance Championship in just 30 races. He also became the first African driver in the series’ history to win in LMGT3, making history not only for his home country Angola but for the entire continent.
With the 25 points scored in Fuji, the #81 crew is back in the title hunt. They now sit third in the LMGT3 standings, just 24 points off the lead, with 39 points still available in the season finale.
Rui Andrade:
“We didn’t know if we were going to finish fourth, third… In the end, we felt that second place was within reach and at the last minute the other car was penalised! It was very difficult on the track today, the whole team did a great job, you can see the scars on the car but I’m very proud of this victory.”
Maria Catarineu, Commercial Director, Bullet Sports Management:
“It’s incredible to see Rui thrive this season. After a learning year last season, as he transitioned from prototypes to GT cars, he is more confident than ever. He is working relentlessly week in, week out, and it shows. As things stand, they have a strong shot at the title, so it will be all in or nothing in Bahrain, and we know Rui is ready for the challenge.”
The 2025 FIA WEC title showdown will take place on November 8 in Bahrain.