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Le Mans / ALMS
LE MANS: Toyota Hybrid Set For LM24 Test Debut
New factory LMP1 hybrid to turn first official laps in Sunday’s Le Mans Test Day...
Toyota's TS030 Hybrid will make its public debut in this weekend's official Le Mans Test Day. (Photo: Toyota Racing)
Following a significant setback that forced its withdrawal from the FIA WEC Six Hours of Spa earlier this month, Toyota’s new TS030 Hybrid will make its highly anticipated public debut this weekend at Le Mans, as the Japanese manufacturer, along with more than 50 other teams, prepare for the 80th Le Mans 24 Hours.
It’s been a challenging road to Le Mans for Toyota, which returns to Circuit de la Sarthe for the first time since 1999, as a testing accident at Paul Ricard last month put the factory squad in a race around the clock to build a replacement tub and resume its development program.
While losing a better part of a month, a freshly built TS030 Hybrid completed a successful functionally test at Magny Cours on May 4 and has since taken part in two further endurance tests at MotorLand Aragon in Spain and Paul Ricard, ahead of Sunday’s official test day.
“Clearly, due to the accident we had in April, our preparations have not been ideal but the time for regrets is over,” said technical director Pascal Vasselon. “We have made the best of the situation we faced.
“Le Mans is undoubtedly a great challenge for Toyota Racing in its first year but we can be satisfied with our preparations and we are certainly looking forward to the task ahead.”
While Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kaz Nakajima, co-drivers of the No. 7 machine, as well as Sebastien Buemi all had seat time in the gasoline-powered prototype earlier this year, the most recent tests in Spain and France saw ex-Peugeot stars Anthony Davidson and Stephane Sarrazin turn their first laps in the TS030 Hybrid.
Both left with favorable impressions of the car, although it won’t be known how it stacks up against the brace of four Audi R18s turbo diesels until this weekend.
“I had a very good feeling with the car very quickly,” Sarrazin said. “The TS030 Hybrid is reactive, quite predictable which is good. It is very agile, which will be nice at Le Mans is the chicane or Porsche corner etc.
“It is running well and shows encouraging performance, even if we still have to keep working hard. The potential looks good.”
Davidson added: “There are still details we need to improve. The challenge is not going to be easy, but we have a good potential; I remain positive but also realistic. Compared to MotorLand, the track was more green and it could be more representative of Le Mans.”
It’s expected both TS030 Hybrids will be on track Sunday at Le Mans, in what will be the first laps for the No. 8 entry, to be co-driven by Sarrazin, Davidson and Buemi.
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
It’s been a challenging road to Le Mans for Toyota, which returns to Circuit de la Sarthe for the first time since 1999, as a testing accident at Paul Ricard last month put the factory squad in a race around the clock to build a replacement tub and resume its development program.
While losing a better part of a month, a freshly built TS030 Hybrid completed a successful functionally test at Magny Cours on May 4 and has since taken part in two further endurance tests at MotorLand Aragon in Spain and Paul Ricard, ahead of Sunday’s official test day.
“Clearly, due to the accident we had in April, our preparations have not been ideal but the time for regrets is over,” said technical director Pascal Vasselon. “We have made the best of the situation we faced.
“Le Mans is undoubtedly a great challenge for Toyota Racing in its first year but we can be satisfied with our preparations and we are certainly looking forward to the task ahead.”
While Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kaz Nakajima, co-drivers of the No. 7 machine, as well as Sebastien Buemi all had seat time in the gasoline-powered prototype earlier this year, the most recent tests in Spain and France saw ex-Peugeot stars Anthony Davidson and Stephane Sarrazin turn their first laps in the TS030 Hybrid.
Both left with favorable impressions of the car, although it won’t be known how it stacks up against the brace of four Audi R18s turbo diesels until this weekend.
“I had a very good feeling with the car very quickly,” Sarrazin said. “The TS030 Hybrid is reactive, quite predictable which is good. It is very agile, which will be nice at Le Mans is the chicane or Porsche corner etc.
“It is running well and shows encouraging performance, even if we still have to keep working hard. The potential looks good.”
Davidson added: “There are still details we need to improve. The challenge is not going to be easy, but we have a good potential; I remain positive but also realistic. Compared to MotorLand, the track was more green and it could be more representative of Le Mans.”
It’s expected both TS030 Hybrids will be on track Sunday at Le Mans, in what will be the first laps for the No. 8 entry, to be co-driven by Sarrazin, Davidson and Buemi.
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
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