MANILA: The Toyota Gazoo Racing team competing in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) revealed that it is ready for the upcoming season.

Competing against a field of 19 Hypercars from WEC veteran brands like Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, and Porsche, as well as newcomers such as Alpine, BMW, Isotta Fraschini, and Lamborghini, are the number 7 and number 8 GR010 Hybrid cars.

The number 7 Hypercar will be piloted by team veteran Mike Conway, former Formula 1 and Alpha Tauri driver Nyck de Vries, and Team Principal Kamui Kobayashi.

“The competition in Hypercar will be harder than ever this season and we are looking forward to it. It will be tougher to succeed, but that makes it even more special and everyone is really motivated. Last year we won the World Championship but we missed out at Le Mans, which is our biggest goal for this year,” Kobayashi noted.

“In endurance racing, success is not only about performance; you need teamwork with all mechanics, engineers, and drivers working perfectly. Against such tough competition, we need to push even harder, and we need a top job from everyone; that’s the challenge this season. Our experience is an advantage and we have prepared intensively for this season, so I think we are ready. Now, starting in Qatar, the most important factor is that all team members, including the drivers, work together as one, with big commitment and our best performance,” he added.

Meanwhile, the number 8 GR010 Hybrid entry will be run by the reigning World Champions Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa. The trio will challenge for a third consecutive crown.

“This year will be the biggest grid I have seen in the top category of WEC so obviously it will be a big challenge. We have worked hard to improve the car and the entire organization, so I am confident we can fight at the front, but it will not be easy. I am very much looking forward to Qatar. After our test in November, I know the track and how the car feels there. It’s an impressive place and driving on that track with the GR010 hybrid will be cool, so I think it is going to be an amazing event,” explained Buemi.

The entry cars — Toyota’s racing division pointed out — appear to have new looks. Most notable are the new front headlights. It also has received modifications to allow for refueling on the left side of the car, for the first time.

The team also applied modifications to selected internal components, which help optimize the cars’ reliability.

And while we’re on the topic of components, Toyota Gazoo Racing continues to benefit from the technical contribution of long-term partners. Denso contributes to the GR010 Hybrid’s front motor alongside Aisin, while also supplying high-performance spark plugs. Rays, on the other hand, delivers lightweight magnesium alloy wheels, while Mobil 1 is the lubricant of choice.

As for its fuel, the Toyota GR010 Hybrid still uses 100 percent renewable biofuel fuel. Per the Japanese racing team, the said fuel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by at least 65 percent.

In addition, Toyota Gazoo Racing’s base in Cologne, Germany also rolled out initiatives to support the team’s on-track sustainability efforts.

Per the racing squad, the facility “recently took steps to reduce CO2 emissions by around 1,400 metric tons a year through a new central cooling facility, marking another important step on its journey to carbon neutrality.”

The Toyota GR010 Hybrid will see action on March 2, 2024 — the first race of the season to be held in Qatar.

Photos from Toyota Gazoo Racing

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