TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Gears Up for Le Mans 24 Hours: A Battle of Legends
Cutting-Edge Technology and Sustainability
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is not just competing to win; they are also pushing the boundaries of automotive technology. The 2024-specification GR010 HYBRID features a 200 kW hybrid motor on the front axle, delivering four-wheel drive, alongside a 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo engine running on 100% renewable biofuel. This commitment to innovation and sustainability is further highlighted by their hydrogen initiatives, including the GR H2 Racing Concept and an exhibition at the Hydrogen Village.
A Rich History and an Exciting Future
TOYOTA’s journey at Le Mans began nearly 40 years ago in 1985. Since then, the team has achieved five victories, 17 podiums, and eight pole positions, completing over 16,000 racing laps—more than five times the circumference of the earth. This year, Kazuki Nakajima, Vice Chairman of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe and a three-time consecutive Le Mans winner, will serve as the Grand Marshal, leading the field on the formation lap.
The Road to Victory
The action-packed schedule kicks off on June 8, when fans can get up close to the GR010 HYBRIDs during the traditional scrutineering in Le Mans city center. The cars will also participate in a 2.1km procession through the city, setting the stage for the official test on June 9. Practice sessions on June 12 will be followed by Hyperpole qualifying on June 13, where the fastest cars from each class will battle for pole position.
Kamui Kobayashi, the fastest-ever lap holder at Circuit de la Sarthe, expressed the team’s readiness: “We need all our team spirit, experience, and effort to challenge for another Le Mans win. It’s a special race with a unique atmosphere thanks to the fans from around the world who support us. I can’t wait to be there again and be part of it.”
Mike Conway echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of this race: “Le Mans is always the big race of the year and the one we look forward to most. The whole team wants to get a good result, and we showed with our win at Imola that if we perform at our maximum, we can succeed.”
Nyck de Vries, making his debut as a Toyota race driver, shared his excitement: “Le Mans is one of the most iconic and prestigious races in the world. It’s my first Le Mans as a Toyota race driver, and I am very excited about that. It’s going to be a real fight with so many teams and manufacturers.”
As the countdown to June 15 begins, Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley are laser-focused on adding another victory to their impressive resumes. Buemi noted, “Le Mans is a special race, and it’s one we work very hard for. The event is a real journey together, and you have to push to the limit to win.”
Hartley added, “Le Mans is what all our hard work is geared towards. It’s the race that arguably means more than the whole season put together.”
For Ryo Hirakawa, the race is a dream come true: “This will be my fifth Le Mans, my third for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. Knowing how it feels to win makes me even more motivated to stand there again.”
Join the Excitement
As the engines roar to life and the lights go green, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing invites you to be part of this exhilarating journey. Whether you’re a die-hard motorsport fan or a Formula 1 enthusiast, the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours promises to deliver unparalleled excitement and edge-of-your-seat action. Don’t miss out on this epic battle for glory at La Sarthe!
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing offers fans from around the world the opportunity to delve deeper into its Le Mans challenge, including information about the team and live onboard cameras from the two GR010 HYBRIDs, via a dedicated website.
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