LMP1
-
24h Le Mans: Toyota’s race falls apart in astonishing half hour
Le Mans has never been a race short on drama, especially after the conclusion to last year’s 24 hours, but the 2017 running looks to have delivered yet another chapter of Le Mans history. The #1 Porsche 919 Hybrid of André Lotterer, Nick Tandy and Neel Jani leads at the halfway point, but that only…
-
Le Mans heat could have major impact on race
This weekend is set to be one of the hottest 24 Hours of Le Mans on record, with temperatures forecast to rise to 33°C on Sunday. However, the heat may play a significant role in deciding today’s race thanks to a recent change in regulations. Under the rules, ambient temperatures inside the cockpit may not…
-
The next evolution of the LMP1 regulations
In its annual Le Mans press conference, the ACO today announced the next evolution of LMP1 regulations set to take effect in 2020. Under the new ruleset, the top category in the FIA WEC will see a concerted effort to cut costs as well as a clear move towards electric drive, with the possibility of…
-
Astonishing Koyabashi lap takes pole for Toyota
A new post-Mulsanne-Chicane lap record for Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi secured pole for the #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing ahead of this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 3:14.791 lap came in the first of two qualifying sessions in the sweltering heat of Thursday evening. The lap was so quick, in fact, that it broke…
-
Toyota fastest in first qualifying session
The #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 of Stéphane Sarrazin, Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi has taken provisional pole for the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans, with two two-hour qualifying sessions set to follow tomorrow. In LMP2, a 3:29.333 for the #28 TDS Racing Oreca of Mathieu Vaxivière, Manu Collard and Francois Perrodo was quickest, while Aston…
-
Kraihamer in confident mood before qualifying
The track action for the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans begins today. We spoke Bykolles driver Dominik Kraihamer, who is competing at Le Mans for the seventh year in succession, about his hopes for qualifying and the race itself. “Test Day went well overall,” Kraihamer said. “However, we were a little surprised at the…
-
Toyota 1-2-3 at Le Mans Test Day
Toyota Gazoo Racing recorded the fastest three times of the official Le Mans Test Day in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in two weeks’ time. In LMP2, Nelson Panciatici topped the time sheets for Signatech Alpine Matmut, as the Oreca 07’s dominated the test filling the first 13 places in the standings.…
-
Lopez switch raises further Toyota driver questions
José-Maria López hasn’t had the best of starts to his FIA World Endurance Championship career. The 34-year-old triple World Touring Car Champion, formerly named as a full-season driver for the #8 car alongside Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi, has switched to Toyota’s third car for Le Mans. López’s accident at the first round of the…
-
Toyota fastest at Spa
The #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 topped the time sheets in both of the first two free practice sessions for Saturday’s 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Mike Conway was the fastest man in FP1, while Kamui Kobyashi posted the fastest lap in the second 90-minute session. Toyota travelled to Belgium with both its high- and low-downforce…