24 heures du Mans – Toyota breaks absolute lap record
It was predicted, but now it's done: Hans-Joachim Stuck's record, which dates back to 1985, is no more. Kamui Kobayashi set a new benchmark on the Sarthe circuit. Toyota completed the double, with the number 8 car taking second place, while the two Porsches finished ahead of the third Toyota.
For 2017, the mission is clear for Toyota: to leave behind the disappointment of 2016 definitively, with that withdrawal just three minutes from the finish when victory was finally within reach. After two victories in the first two races, the most important moment of the season is approaching with the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
After a hat-trick during the test day, Toyota sent a very strong message during the qualifications. Indeed, during the second session, held from 7 p.m., Kamui Kobayashi managed to find an almost clear track to achieve an incredible time of 3:14.791! This is simply the best time in the history of the event. And even more so because the previous record (3:14.800) was set in 1985 on a track that was three meters shorter.
Just look at the reaction of the other team drivers to grasp the magnitude of the performance achieved by the Japanese driver.
ALL TIME RECORD ‼️#LeMans🔥🚀 3 min 14.791sec 💪🏁 @Toyota_Hybrid #7 @kamui_kobayashi #TeamSpirit pic.twitter.com/OuswQcN5eQ
— alex wurz (@alex_wurz) June 15, 2017
Toyota was even able to secure a one-two finish as the number 8 car quickly overcame its oil supply issue, which required an engine change as a precaution during the second session, to clock the second-fastest time in the final night session. To find two Toyotas on the front row, we have to go back to 1999 when Martin Brundle and Thierry Boutsen achieved a similar performance.
But the gap between the two Japanese prototypes is significant as this time is 2.3 seconds from the lead (3:17.128). The gap is much smaller with the first Porsche, number 1, which is just over a tenth of a second away (3:17.259), on a 13-kilometer circuit. The German team is not without technical troubles either, as Brendon Hartley was forced to stop on the track following a rise in his engine temperature.
This therefore promises a constant battle between the two rivals. Toyota, which appears to have the best pace and will have the advantage of three cars, will have to overcome the jinx that seems to hover over the Bugatti circuit.
