Toyota Gazoo Racing - 2017 WEC Plans

Toyota Racing GazooTS050 Hybrid, driven by Anthony Davidson, Sebsatien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima, Stephane Sarrazin, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi., FIA WEC Prologue Circuit Paul Ricard, 24/03/2016, — The #5 Toyota Racing Gazoo TS050 Hybrid was presented at the FIA WEC Prologue Circuit Paul Ricard, 24 March 2016 with drivers (left) Kazuki Nakajima, Sebsatien Buemi and Anthony Davidson; (right) Stephane Sarrazin, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi

So near…and yet so far, is the story of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s record at Le Mans. The world watched in stunned silence when in 2016 the #5 Toyota TS050 Hybrid rolled to a stop on the penultimate lap of the race. Having the title of the world’s toughest endurance race snatched from your grasp with the finish line in sight was the cruellest outcome for a team who had worked so hard.

#5 Toyota TS050 at the end of the 24H Le Mans race — Kazuki Nakajima climbs from the cockpit of the #5 Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid after the dramatic finish in the 24 Heures Du Mans on 19 June 2016

With this in mind, Toyota Gazoo Racing has announced its WEC plans for 2017, confirming that it will indeed field three cars for Spa and Le Mans, these being the second and third rounds of the championship. This demonstrates its commitment to endurance racing and enhances its chances of victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours. This three-car entry in selected races obviously brings with it a requirement for extra drivers. To this end the Argentinian José María López will join the team and will compete alongside Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi in the #7 Toyota. José María, 33, competed in GP2 before moving to the World Touring Car Championship where he won the last three titles.

Anthony Davidson, Sebsatien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima of Toyota Gazoo Racing at 24 Heures Du Mans , 18/06/2016 — #5 Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid drivers (from L-R) Sebsatien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima – 24 Heures Du Mans 18 June 2016

The 2014 drivers’ World Champions Sébastien Buemi and Anthony Davidson in the #8 car will again team up with Kazuki Nakajima, the only Japanese driver to earn pole position at Le Mans, to compete together for a full season in the other TS050 Hybrid.

Stéphane Sarrazin, part of the Toyota WEC team from the start of the project in 2012, retains a significant role and will bring the benefit of his experience to the team’s third car entry (#9) as lead driver. The team is still assessing its options for his two team-mates, with a decision expected soon.

#5 and #6 Toyota TS050 at the 6h of Nurburgring 2016 — The two Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid race cars in the pit lane during the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Nurburgring, 24 July 2016

Toyota Gazoo Racing will present its 2017 team, including an updated TS050 Hybrid, on 31 March at the Prologue at Monza, prior to the two-day official test for all WEC participants at the Italian circuit.

Toshio Sato, Team President: “I believe this is an exciting time for Toyota Gazoo Racing in endurance racing. Entering three cars for Spa and Le Mans represents a new challenge for our team. We are working hard to be prepared and we are inspired to win. I would like to welcome José María to our team; I am confident he will fit in well as he is quick, intelligent and a strong team player. Our existing drivers have already proven their abilities in endurance racing; all are race winners and we are very happy to work together again.”

José María López: “It’s great to be part of Toyota Gazoo Racing. This is a dream come true for me and I can’t wait to get to the first race. Mike and Kamui are both great team-mates and I will learn plenty from them I am sure. Driving an LMP1 car is very different compared to WTCC cars but I am enjoying this challenge. The power and grip of the TS050 Hybrid is incredible and Toyota’s hybrid technology is impressive. I am looking forward to my first experience of WEC and particularly Le Mans which is a very special race.”

Prologue 2016 (March 2016)

#5 TS050 Hybrid, Toyota Gazoo Racing, at the Prologue 2016 — #5 Toyota Racing Gazoo TS050 Hybrid of Anthony Davidson, Sebsatien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima during the WEC Prologue Circuit Paul Ricard on 26 March 2016

6H of Silverstone (April 2016)

#5, Toyota Racing GazooTS050 Hybrid, driven by Anthony Davidson, Sebsatien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima, FIA WEC 6hrs of Silverstone 2016, 17/04/2016, — Things got a little hot for the #5 Toyota Racing Gazoo TS050 Hybrid during the WEC 6hrs of Silverstone 2016, 17 April 2016

#6 Toyota TS050 Hybrid at the 6H of Silverstone 2016 — The #6 Toyota Racing Gazoo TS050 Hybrid of Stephane Sarrazin, Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi in action during FP2 for the FIA WEC 6hrs of Silverstone, 15 April 2016

6H of Spa (May 2016)

#5, Toyota Racing GazooTS050 Hybrid, driven by Anthony Davidson, Sebsatien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima, FIA WEC 6hrs of Spa 2016, 07/05/2016, — The #5 Toyota Racing Gazoo TS050 Hybrid driven by Anthony Davidson, Sebsatien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima does battle with a Porsche during the FIA WEC 6hrs of Spa, 7 May 2016

#6, Toyota Racing GazooTS050 Hybrid, driven by, Stephane Sarrazin, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi., FIA WEC 6hrs of Spa 2016, 06/05/2016, — The #6 Toyota Racing Gazoo TS050 Hybrid driven by, Stephane Sarrazin, Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi enters the pit lane during the FIA WEC 6hrs of Spa, 6 May 2016

24H of Le Mans (June 2016)

#6 Toyota TS050 Hybrid under the Dunlop Bridge at Le Mans 24H 2016 — The #6 Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid speeds under the Dunlop Bridge during the 24 Heures Du Mans, 16 June 2016

#6 Toyota TS050 Hybrid at Le mans 24H, 2016 — The #6 Toyota TS050 Hybrid rounds Arnage corner during practice for the 2016 Le Mans 24H

6H of Nurburgring (July 2016)

#6 Toyota TS050 at the 6h of Nurburgring 2016 — Both Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrids in action during qualifying for the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Nurburgring, 23 July 2016

#5 Toyota TS050 Hybrid at the 6H Nurburgring 2016 — The #5 Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid driven by Anthony Davidson, Sebsatien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima puts in some laps during FP2 for the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Nurburgring, 22 July 2016

6H of Bahrain (November 2016)

#5 Toyota TS050 at the 6H of Bahrain in 2016 — Anthony Davidson, Sebsatien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima in action in the #5 Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid during the 6 Hours of Bahrain, 17 November 2016

Note:

Virtual Motorpix will bring you the latest news on the WEC season as it unfolds, starting with the Prologue, and running throughout the season. Be sure to check back to read our updates, so as not to miss out on any of the season’s action.

Written by: Glen Smale
Images by: John Mountney and Glen Smale of Virtual Motorpix