24h Le Mans
Despite a disappointing result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing finished the 2023 FIA WEC season with honour, showing determination to return to the top of its game in 2024.
With five consecutive victories this year, Toyota dominated Cadillac, Peugeot, Porsche, Vanwall and Glickenhaus. 2022 24 Hours winners Sébastien Buemi, Brandon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa beat every competitor, except one. The #51 Ferrari 499P triumphed over the #8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid in June by a margin of just 01:21.
The Japanese constructor came straight out of the gate fighting. Classification positions changed almost constantly, but during the first third of the race, both GR010 Hybrids were contenders for the win. Eventually, the #7 was forced to retire. While approaching a slow zone with a maximum speed of 80 kph and where overtaking is prohibited, Kamui Kobayashi slowed to avoid overtaking another car and was hit from behind by two competitors. The damage to the driveshaft, tyres and bodywork was so extensive the Hypercar was unable to return to pit lane.
After the #94 Peugeot 9X8 and #50 Ferrari fell behind, the #8 Toyota waged a titanic battle with the #51 Ferrari. The #8 led the race early morning, but dropped to P2 due to a pit stop to repair its splitter and right rear tyre. Nonetheless, the drivers maintained a remarkable pace: after 20 hours, only three seconds separated P1 and P2.
When Hirakawa took the wheel two hours from the chequered flag, he was trailing the #51 Ferrari by 16 seconds. The Japanese driver worked hard to catch up, but left the track at the Arnage Corner, hitting the safety rails and damaging the front and rear of the chassis. Despite losing three minutes, the #8 held on to P2. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's priority at that point was to cross the finish line in one piece.
Though Toyota failed to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary, the Japanese marque did clinch four FIA WEC wins this season and the FIA Endurance Hypercar Manufacturers trophy. There is no doubt the team embarked on an in-depth analysis of the race first thing the Monday after the race and will bring its A-game in 2024. Kamui Kobayashi: "We really fought to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary. Everyone worked together to try and claim the victory. We'll be back even stronger, that's how we deal with disappointment."
