24 Hours of Le Mans 2012: Toyota with a hybrid LMP1!

Toyota seemed hesitant to fully recommit to endurance. The Cologne factory has so far only powered Rebellion Racing Lolas. But the new challenge of the World Championship?Endurance pushed the Japanese manufacturer to fully re-engage in the discipline, by entering the LMP1 category with a new prototype with a hybrid gasoline engine. This commitment marks an end to Toyota?s absence since 1999 when it shone with the famous GT-One.

The car will be developed by Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Cologne (Germany), where the F1 of the Japanese brand were built. It will make its first laps at the end of the year before starting an intensive series of tests from the start of 2012, in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2012 and several races in the World Endurance Championship.

Tadashi Yamashima, President of Toyota Motorsport GmbH, discusses the exciting challenge that hybrid technology offers in the world of endurance. “We want to write a new page in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and that of the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship using our hybrid technology”, assures the Japanese. “The objective is also to have feedback in the demanding environment of motor racing to benefit our production cars. Le Mans is a legendary race and I would like to thank the ACO and the FIA ​​for their positive and constructive cooperation over the last few months. »

AUTOhebdo will offer you in its issue next Wednesday a complete report on Toyota's return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as an analysis of the new ACO and FIA regulations and the issues that arise from them.