WEC | Toyota has solved the problem with the gasoline system

The two GR010 HYBRIDs were then set up for the double race of the FIA ​​WEC in Bahrain, with Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe forced to seek “creative solutions” to bring the hypercars to the finish in France.

Technical Director Pascal Vasselon revealed that the problem at Le Mans was caused by a mix of polyurethane and grease particles blocking the fuel filter.

# 8 had already run into similar trouble at Monza in July. This has been traced back to the contamination of the system it uses to condition the fuel in the pits with aluminum oxide particles, which have mixed with the grease from the connector on the refueling port, blocking the filter.

“When we found these aluminum oxide particles in the fuel after Monza, we were sure we had found the problem – said Vasselon – At Le Mans, on the other hand, it was a much more complex thing”.

The fuel line inside the tank was about to collapse as the fuel level dropped, causing its inner walls to rub and generate polyurethane particles.

Together with the grease from the fuel connectors, these particles blocked the filter and affected the fuel pressure.

The solution involved modifying the fuel system breather, which was largely taken over by the TS050 HYBRID LMP1, by fitting new pipes.

“With the LMH the fuel flow is much higher, because the engine power is much higher and the efficiency is lower. The rate at which the fuel leaves the tank is now high and the breather was too small.”

At Le Mans the team was able to find temporary solutions on the # 7, while the # 8 in Monza had to pit to replace the offending part.