Toyota triples its win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Toyota strengthens its ambitions for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, lining up a third car for the event. The Japanese team has also recruited three-time WTCC world champion José Maria Lopez.
Toyota’s goal is to make ever-better cars. Motorsports serve as a full-scale development platform to improve both the technical performance of its vehicles and the skills of its employees who work on its various competition commitments. This is why the manufacturer has decided to participate in the WEC, which is the best showcase for the performance of its hybrid technology.
If Toyota thought they were finally reaching the Holy Grail with a victory at Le Mans in 2016, fate decided otherwise at the start of the final lap. Far from leaving the discipline in frustration, the manufacturer decided to increase its investment in the discipline by entering a third car in the event as well as in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, a dress rehearsal before the 24-hour race.
Toshia Sato, the president of Toyota Gazoo Racing, commented: « It’s an exciting time for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in endurance racing. Entering three cars at Spa and Le Mans represents a new challenge for our team. We are working hard to be ready and are motivated to win. »
Toyota is thus making the opposite move of its competitors Audi and Porsche: for several seasons, the brands of the Volkswagen group fielded three teams, before scaling back, particularly due to Dieselgate, which impacted the finances of the German group. Audi even announced its complete withdrawal at the end of the 2016 season.
To fill the seat of this third car, Toyota also had to recruit drivers. Consequently, they attracted José Maria Lopez, who is coming off three consecutive titles in the WTCC. The Argentine will thus join the team of Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi, while Stéphane Sarrazin will move to the third car. The two teammates of the French driver have not yet been announced.
With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr
