After five consecutive victories since 2018, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing targets a double hat-trick of wins against a 62-car field, including 16 Hypercars from other legendary marques such as Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot and Porsche. Only two other manufacturers have won for six straight years at Le Mans; Ferrari from 1960 to 1965 and Porsche from 1981 to 1987.
This year’s race is more prestigious than ever, with 300,000 fans expected for the 100th anniversary edition of an event which began back in 1923 as a showcase for the latest automotive technology and has pioneered road-relevant innovations ever since.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has made a superb start to the 2023 FIA Endurance Championship thanks to three wins from the opening three races, most recently a one-two in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. With double points on offer, the team can take a major step towards a fifth consecutive world title at Le Mans.
Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López, in the #7 GR010 HYBRID, came out on top at Spa in April. That was perfect preparation for Le Mans, where they go in search of a second victory together, following their win in 2021 at the beginning of the Hypercar era.
Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa won Le Mans a year ago in the #8 GR010 HYBRID and they go into the centenary edition as World Championship leaders after fighting back to finish second at Spa, despite starting from the back of the grid.
Sébastien is the team’s most successful driver at La Sarthe, with four victories to his name, while Kamui’s five pole positions have contributed to the team’s record-equalling six consecutive poles since 2017.
This year marks Toyota’s 25th participation at Le Mans since its debut in 1985, and its 12th with Hybrid power, highlighting its dedication to enhancing hybrid technology in endurance racing, creating ever-better cars for its customers through motorsport.
Although the GR010 HYBRID made its Le Mans debut two years ago, the car has evolved continuously since it became the first Hypercar winner and arrives in La Sarthe following further adjustments over the winter.
The high-performance Racing Hybrid powertrain, which consists of 520kW (707PS) 3.5litre engine and 200kW (272PS) electric motor, underwent changes to reduce weight and enhance reliability, exploiting the unique knowledge gained from more than a decade of experience with hybrid powertrains at Le Mans.
The 2023-specification GR010 HYBRID, which is powered by 100% renewable bio fuel, features aerodynamic adjustments and other detail changes to enhance drivability and aerodynamic consistency.
Those updates have already been validated in competition during the first three WEC races of 2023, but the latest evolution of the GR010 HYBRID will turn its first laps of the Circuit de la Sarthe on Sunday, during the traditional test day.
Official sessions begin next week with two practice sessions on Wednesday either side of first qualifying, when the fastest eight cars from each class will progress to Thursday’s 30-minute Hyperpole shoot-out, which takes place at 8pm CEST. Two further practice sessions complete the track action on Thursday.
The team will spend Friday rebuilding and preparing its cars before the 91st running of the Le Mans 24 Hours begins on Saturday 10 June at 4pm CEST. It concludes 24 hours later when another page will be added to the illustrious history of endurance racing’s most prestigious event.
