-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Latest Headlines: NASCAR
-
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Le Mans / ALMS
LE MANS: Toyota Commits To Single Entry For WEC
Only one Toyota TS030 Hybrid entered for FIA World Endurance Championship, two cars for Le Mans...
Toyota Racing will enter only a single TS030 Hybrid in the full FIA World Endurance Championship. (Photo: John Dagys)
Despite hopes of running two season-long entries, Toyota has only committed to a single-car effort for this year's FIA World Endurance Championship, SPEED.com has learned.
The Japanese manufacturer, which returned to top-level endurance racing in 2012 with the all-new Toyota TS030 Hybrid, scored an impressive three victories in the final five races of the season, culminating with drivers Nicolas Lapierre and Alex Wurz finishing third in the Drivers' World Championship.
A Toyota spokesperson confirmed to SPEED.com Thursday that a single WEC entry request was submitted prior to yesterday's deadline, as it was the "maximum we could commit before the deadline." Two Toyota TS030 Hybrids have been entered for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the same number which took part in last year's twice-around-the-clock French endurance classic.
As of now, no additional races have been confirmed for the second car, which is earmarked for drivers Stephane Sarrazin, Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi.
This latest development comes as a significant blow to the LMP1 championship fight, which was expected to see Toyota and Audi go head-to-head with two cars each. Budget constraints and the manufacturers' ramped up 2012 program, in wake of Peugeot's late withdrawal, are believed to be possible reasons behind their focus on a single-car program.
It also comes as a setback for the premier prototype category's car count and on the heels of JRM announcing that it also did not submit an entry for the WEC. Between five to six full-season entries are now expected for LMP1.
In addition to Lapierre and Wurz, Japanese star Kaz Nakajima is expected to round out the driving force on the lead No. 7 entry for most of the WEC rounds.
Official confirmation and the presentation of Toyota's 2013 program will come next month in France.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
The Japanese manufacturer, which returned to top-level endurance racing in 2012 with the all-new Toyota TS030 Hybrid, scored an impressive three victories in the final five races of the season, culminating with drivers Nicolas Lapierre and Alex Wurz finishing third in the Drivers' World Championship.
A Toyota spokesperson confirmed to SPEED.com Thursday that a single WEC entry request was submitted prior to yesterday's deadline, as it was the "maximum we could commit before the deadline." Two Toyota TS030 Hybrids have been entered for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the same number which took part in last year's twice-around-the-clock French endurance classic.
As of now, no additional races have been confirmed for the second car, which is earmarked for drivers Stephane Sarrazin, Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi.
This latest development comes as a significant blow to the LMP1 championship fight, which was expected to see Toyota and Audi go head-to-head with two cars each. Budget constraints and the manufacturers' ramped up 2012 program, in wake of Peugeot's late withdrawal, are believed to be possible reasons behind their focus on a single-car program.
It also comes as a setback for the premier prototype category's car count and on the heels of JRM announcing that it also did not submit an entry for the WEC. Between five to six full-season entries are now expected for LMP1.
In addition to Lapierre and Wurz, Japanese star Kaz Nakajima is expected to round out the driving force on the lead No. 7 entry for most of the WEC rounds.
Official confirmation and the presentation of Toyota's 2013 program will come next month in France.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Monterey
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
INDYCAR: Helping Our Heroes
Inside Panther Racing's "Operation: Hire our Guard" program, which… -
INDYCAR: Inside IndyCar's New Speed, Safety And Technology Initiative…
INDYCAR's Derrick Walker takes Marshall Pruett through where the… -
PHOTOS: Indy 500 Carb Day 2013
Enjoy a selection of photos from Indy 500 Carb Day, including the… -
VIDEO: Amazing 4-Wide Finish To Indy Lights Freedom 100
Ireland's Peter Dempsey came from fourth at Turn 3 on the last lap… -
INDYCAR: Pagenaud Leads Indy 500 Carb Day Practice
After getting whooped in qualifying, Honda turns up the wick for… -
INDYCAR: Miller's Mailbag, 5.24
It's time for SPEED.com's weekly IndyCar Q&A with Robin Miller's… -
USAC: Honda To Sponsor National Midget Championship
Honda announced it would be the title sponsor for USAC’s National… - More News
