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Le Mans / ALMS
LE MANS: Toyota Suffers Testing Accident
Nicolas Lapierre unhurt in Paul Ricard shunt, which brought 30-hour endurance test to early end...
Toyota's TS030 Hybrid suffered what's believed to be its first accident in testing Wednesday at Paul Ricard. (Photo: Toyota Racing)
Toyota's planned 30-hour endurance test this week at Paul Ricard came to an early end Wednesday when its TS030 Hybrid suffered an accident.
Nicolas Lapierre was at the wheel of the factory LMP1 at the time of the shunt, which reportedly was not of the Frenchman's own doing. Lapierre walked away uninjured.
While the cause of the accident is under investigation, Toyota was forced to end its testing program due to lack of spare parts. French publication Auto Hebdo also reported that the Japanese manufacturer was utilizing a new aerodynamic evolution of the car that was unveiled at Paul Ricard in January.
With spare parts at a premium for most new prototype programs, it's unclear if this week's accident could have any effect on the team's planned debut at next month's Six Hours of Spa, the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Lapierre, Alex Wurz and Kaz Nakajima are listed as drivers for Toyota's planned single-car effort for the race in the Belgian Ardennes, traditionally used as a warm-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
LMP1 rivals Audi sustained an accident last month at Sebring, which sent Timo Bernhard to the hospital with broken vertebrae in his neck and reportedly destroyed one of its new R18 Ultras, which is also set to debut in Spa.
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
Nicolas Lapierre was at the wheel of the factory LMP1 at the time of the shunt, which reportedly was not of the Frenchman's own doing. Lapierre walked away uninjured.
While the cause of the accident is under investigation, Toyota was forced to end its testing program due to lack of spare parts. French publication Auto Hebdo also reported that the Japanese manufacturer was utilizing a new aerodynamic evolution of the car that was unveiled at Paul Ricard in January.
With spare parts at a premium for most new prototype programs, it's unclear if this week's accident could have any effect on the team's planned debut at next month's Six Hours of Spa, the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Lapierre, Alex Wurz and Kaz Nakajima are listed as drivers for Toyota's planned single-car effort for the race in the Belgian Ardennes, traditionally used as a warm-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
LMP1 rivals Audi sustained an accident last month at Sebring, which sent Timo Bernhard to the hospital with broken vertebrae in his neck and reportedly destroyed one of its new R18 Ultras, which is also set to debut in Spa.
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
FIA WEC Six Hours of Spa
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