24 Hours of Le Mans – Toyota prepares to face “the unexpected”

This could be one of the highlights of the 2018 season, if by chance one of the two TS050 Hybrids crosses the finish line of the 24 Hours of Le Mans as the winner next June. A first success which would break the brand's incredible unlucky series in Sarthe.

Souvent performantes ces dernières années, les LM P1 japonaises ont régulièrement trébuché suite à des soucis de fiabilité, coupant leur élan alors que la victoire semblait en vue. Un scénario que ne souhaite pas voir se répéter Pascal Vasselon, directeur technique de Toyota.

The Frenchman thus explains the orientation of the preparation of his troops before the kick-off of the WEC on May 5 in Spa, Belgium.

“Where we change a lot is in the preparation for Le Mans, because in the last four editions, three times we had the performance to win, we always had the fundamental reliability, but each time it did not work on exceptional circumstances, which never happen and which happen at Le Mans.

Since we have reliability, we don't need to drive miles and miles. We spend a lot of time generating false problems for the team, and seeing how the team reacts.

And based on this reaction, we analyze it and put in place more effective procedures. We will try to arrive prepared for the unexpected, this is the direction of our preparation this winter. »

Toyota will present itself as the only team to operate a hybrid prototype this year, with a car that will not fundamentally evolve from 2017. “There will mainly be changes in reliability and cooling, and we will make some aerodynamic changes, but with parts that are not necessarily very visible. » confirms the technical manager.

Toyota will also maintain some stability in its ranks with the trio Jose Maria Lopez, Kamui Kobayashi et Mike conway on No. 7, when the only change, but a major one, will see Fernando Alonso replace Anthony Davidson to support Sébastien Buemi et Kazuki Nakajima on No. 8.