FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[scotty]

Toyota has confirmed that it will make a fully-fledged return to the Le Mans 24 Hours next year with a petrol hybrid LMP1 car, as predicted by AUTOSPORT in June.

The programme will mark Toyota's first full-scale Le Mans bid since its GT-One car of 1998 and '99. Toyota had already rejoined the LMP1 ranks as engine supplier to Rebellion Racing this year.

The new car will enter several other World Endurance Championship rounds alongside Le Mans. Its chassis will be constructed by Toyota Motorsport GmbH - formerly the firm's Formula 1 operation - with the engine coming from the Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.

Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota Motor Corporation Senior Managing Officer and TMG chairman, said the hybrid technology element was key to Toyota's return to sportscar racing's top flight.

"Toyota Motor Corporation has entered Le Mans before but by using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge," he said.

"We want to write a new page in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology.

"In addition, we aim to learn from the experience of competing in such a challenging motorsport environment to enhance our production car technology.

"Le Mans is a legendary race and I would like to thank the ACO and the FIA for their constructive and positive cooperation over the last few months."

A Toyota statement said the new car "is planned to take part in a roll-out around the turn of the year prior to an extensive test schedule in early 2012."

Toyota's previous Le Mans programme saw it take pole position and finish second in the 1999 race, before it switched its attention to its forthcoming F1 operation.

This is going to be epic.

[acosmichippo]

oh HELL yes. And Porsche back in 2014...

it's gonna be one hell of a battle.

[Frontrunner]

More the merrier, good news for LMP1 in the future.

[acosmichippo]

[bigpat]

Awesome, bring it on!

Can only spur Audi & Peugeot to stay involved, a 2 horse race isn't much fun after a while. LMP-1 really is the preserve of factory teams, you can't beat manufacturer might in this stuff.

If Toyota ran their F1 program like their previous GT one, they might have cracked it for a win. One thing is for sure, Toyota know how to go endurance racing, and Porsche is coming back too.... I'm gonna love this!

[bud]

I can dream of Ferrari and McLaren entering one day.

[acosmichippo]

And then Ford putting Ferrari to shame again.

[acosmichippo]

Toyota teams up with Oreca on new LMP1 entry

A major manufacturer doesn't just show up at Le Mans and hope to race right off the bat. Developing a new car is one thing, but running it is another. And for that, Toyota is turning to Oreca.

Oreca is no stranger to Le Mans, as one of the few privateers that's managed to mount a serious challenge against factory efforts from Audi and Peugeot.

Its services have also been solicited by automakers looking to challenge various racing classes, including development and production of the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe and the successful campaigning of the Mazda 787B at Le Mans in 1991. Oreca also worked with Toyota to prepare of the Corolla that Alain Prost drove in the Andros Trophy ice racing series.

Toyota isn't looking for help from Oreca to build or develop its new hybrid LMP1 racer – that's being done in-house. Instead, the automaker is soliciting Oreca's services to actually field the car at Le Mans and other races in the new FIA World Endurance Championship starting next year. Follow the jump for the official announcement.

[acosmichippo]

Toyota recruits top drivers for new Le Mans program

Toyota is dead serious about its new Le Mans effort. To that end, the Japanese auto giant is developing an all-new hybrid LMP1 racer, it has retained the considerable services of Team Oreca to help with trackside logistics, and it has now announced its driver lineup. And make no mistake about it, these are no rookies.

Headlining the roster is Alex Wurz, who holds the title as the youngest winner in the history of Le Mans. The Austrian driver won again for Peugeot two years ago, and he has also taken the checkered flag at the Petit Le Mans, the Spa 1,000km and the Sebring 12 Hours, to name just a few. And as if that weren't enough, he's also an accomplished former Formula One driver, having driven for and scored podium finishes for a variety of teams including Benetton, McLaren and Williams (though not Toyota).

Joining Wurz will be Nicolas Lapierre, a French driver with a distinguished record in both lower formula racing (like F3 and A1GP) and endurance racing, including a win at Sebring this year. Finally, Toyota has added Kazuki Nakajima (one of Japan's best F1 drivers of the modern era) to the team that will be developing and fielding the new LMP1 at La Sarthe and other FIA World Endurance Championship races next season. The car is expected to make its debut "early in the new year" at a yet-to-be-determined European venue.

[scotty]

Found some pics from its first test the other day:

[texasmr2]

It is going to be epic and as bud mentioned it would be even better if Ferrari and McLaren entered and if it ever happens I hope it will be in LMP1.

[acosmichippo]

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/70103.html

"[Sebastian Buemi] will race for Toyota in Le Mans, joining Anthony Davidson and Hiroaki Ishiura in the Number 8 car this year."

[LewEngBridewell]

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/70103.html

"[Sebastian Buemi] will race for Toyota in Le Mans, joining Anthony Davidson and Hiroaki Ishiura in the Number 8 car this year."

It was sad to see Buemi in a state of despair towards the end of last season, when numerous retirements spelled doom for his future at Toro Rosso. But he's keeping himself occupied and well in the game. Great to see, and good on him.

[scotty]

Aero update and first shot next to an Audi - PHWOAR!

[acosmichippo]

sweet. Paint jobs look dumb, but they always do these days.

Is that Spa?