Toyota confirms its participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the WEC
There will indeed be a manufacturer participating in LMP1 next season as Toyota has confirmed its presence for the 2018-2019 super season.
After a disappointment at the end of this year’s race, Akio Toyoda, the CEO of the eponymous manufacturer, had vowed that the Japanese brand would return to Le Mans. Promise kept, as it was officially announced today that they will indeed be present next season.
It must be said that Toyota has become an essential part of the endurance championship since the two Volkswagen group brands, Audi and Porsche, decided to leave the scene amid Dieselgate and budget cuts. That’s why the ACO and the FIA quickly responded by setting up a super-season, which will take place between mid-2018 and mid-2019, and has the merit of offering two editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the same season.
But the main question mark for the manufacturer was whether the new non-hybrid LMP1 technical regulations would not be too favorable compared to hybrid. Reassured on the subject, he officially announced his presence through his president in person: « This year, our cars were extremely fast on the roads of Le Mans. But they did not have the resilience necessary to maintain such a pace for 24 hours. While wanting to offer motorists cars that are a pleasure to drive, I clearly realized that we still have a long way to go… We truly regret the withdrawal of our rival, whose presence created healthy technological emulation on the roads of Le Mans. Nevertheless, the World Endurance Championship remains, in our eyes, an ideal testing ground, with its different categories running simultaneously and especially Le Mans, where the battle lasts 24 hours and takes public roads. It is therefore an excellent way to achieve our goal: enjoyable cars to drive for the next 100 years. »
On the other hand, Toyota has not unveiled its crews, who are expected to drive two cars throughout the season. A name that keeps coming up insistently is Fernando Alonso, still obsessed with achieving his Triple Crown (F1 World Championship title, Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans). His confirmation should occur simultaneously with the rest of the drivers, next January.
With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr
