Le Mans, one year after the historic streak of five consecutive victories was interrupted, Toyota is determined to take back what Ferrari took from it in 2023.
The French 24h on 15-16 June is the event that all participants in the FIA World Endurance Championship have been waiting for since the winter and for which the details are being meticulously prepared.
The same is true for the reigning World Champions, who despite having won the world championship at the end of last season both among the Drivers and the Manufacturers of the Hypercar Class, have never hidden their anger at having only lost one race. ‘, but ‘the race’, so much so that the livery of the GR010 Hybrid changed to black.
Now it’s time for redemption and TGR knows it very well, having also had a nice boost from the change in that Balance of Performance which had relegated the Japanese to extras in the first races of the season, except for the victory obtained in Imola in particular conditions.
For Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck De Vries (#7) and Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa (#8) it is time to make a clean sweep and think about how to leave their mark on the Circuit de la Sarthe, where More than important pages of history have been written in the last year for the Cologne-based team.
#7 Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota GR010 – Hybrid: Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, Nyck de Vries
Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images
“All team members, from Higashi-Fuji to Cologne, from the Toyota family in general to our partners, have worked for a year to be ready for Le Mans – underlines Kobayashi – 10 intense days await us, against fierce competition, and we have to be at our best to compete with the leaders.”
“We need all our team spirit, experience and commitment to fight for another victory at Le Mans, but we are all determined to do so. It is a special race with a unique atmosphere thanks to the fans from all over the world who support us they argue.”
“From scrutineering in the city to the podium, we feel their support and it keeps us going. I can’t wait to be there again and be part of it.”
Conway follows closely: “Le Mans is always the most important race of the year and the one we look forward to the most. It’s the reason why we built these cars. The whole team wants to get a good result and with the victory in Imola we have demonstrated that if we give our all, we can do it.”
“We know it will be difficult because there is great competition, with very fast cars. We have to do our best 100% and, being Le Mans, we also need a bit of luck.”
“We will show up with our heads held high, aiming to get the best result possible. A lot of things are out of our control, but that’s the way it is and we will do our best.”
De Vries is making his debut with Toyota in this event: “Le Mans is one of the most iconic and prestigious races in the world. For all those who participate in the WEC, it is the most important of the year and the one that everyone wants to win; this this is certainly our case.”
“It’s my first Le Mans as a Toyota driver and I’m very excited. I joined the team in 2022 as a test driver and raced in LMP2, but now I hope to fight for the overall victory.”
“It’s an exciting era and it will be a real battle with so many teams and manufacturers. I’m looking forward to marathon week, when we hope Le Mans will choose us.”
#8 Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota GR010 – Hybrid: Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, Ryo Hirakawa
Photo by: Emanuele Clivati | AG Photo
On the other side of the garage, Buemi says: “Le Mans is a special race for which we work hard, with many sacrifices from the whole team and their families. The event is a real journey together and you have to push to the maximum to win.”
“More than 300,000 fans, over 60 cars on the track and many manufacturers involved in a race that has been taking place for 100 years make it a unique experience. Furthermore, the circuit is fantastic. It uses public roads and can only be driven for one week every day. year, so it seems like an old-fashioned circuit that you don’t find often.”
Hartley adds: “Le Mans is the goal of all our hard work. It’s the race that probably means more than the whole season put together. Even though we haven’t had the best start, I feel we’re well prepared and I’ll give it my all. together with my teammates and all the team members to fight for the famous top step of the podium.”
“Last year the crowds were fantastic and I expect that this year, with an even greater number of competitors, there will once again be a full house of fans and racing enthusiasts from all over the world. It is a special race that offers a series of emotions. We are ready.”
Hirakawa comments: “This will be my fifth Le Mans, my third with TGR, and I can’t wait; it’s a very exciting moment of the season. There’s no better feeling than standing on the top step of the podium after 24 hours; It’s the dream of every endurance rider and I managed to crown it in 2022.”
“Knowing how it feels to win makes me even more motivated to get on the podium again, but we know it won’t be easy. Racing at full capacity for 24 hours, anything can happen, and in Hypercar we face strong competition But the team has worked hard to be ready and we will do our best to get the result.”
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