Toyota before Silverstone: “Not an easy track for hybrid systems”

Two months after his triumph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Sarthe), Toyota reprend la route du Championnat du monde d’endurance (WEC) with two modified TS050 Hybrids. First of all, the chassis of the No. 8 victorious in France was placed in the team's headquarters in Cologne (Germany) in its original state. Then, to better adapt to the characteristics of the Silverstone circuit (Great Britain, August 17-19), the two LM P1 Hybrid prototypes will adopt the high downforce kit.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing returns to action following Le Mans success. Read more: https://t.co/HtR0X5A3X5

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- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC (@Toyota_Hybrid) August 13, 2018

Another change, Technology Equivalence (EoT), which now grants 43,75% additional fuel flow for Non-Hybrid LM P1s compared to Toyotas. Hisatake Murata, president of Toyota Gazoo Racing, therefore expects more adversity. “We have worked hard to prepare the high downforce kit for its first use in Super-Season racing. The challenge proposed by our opponents should be greater, we must evolve to the maximum of our potential, like at Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). "

Sébastien Buemi raises a typical Silverstone problem. “It’s not an easy track for hybrid systems because there’s not a lot of hard braking (to recharge the batteries). » The change of date will also cause a rise in temperatures. “It will be a pleasure to ride there in the middle of August, after several years when we came there in April, it was quite cold. »

One week to @FIAWEC 6h from Silverstone!!! who’s coming for an awesome weekend? 17th-19th August See you all there!!!!!!! @Toyota_Hybrid #wec #silverstone6hrs pic.twitter.com/6riYZmYPIt

— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 11, 2018

Swiss teammate, Fernando Alonso intends to use his experience of Formula 1. “Unlike Le Mans, it’s a track that I know very well (first drive in F1 in 2001). I have already raced on the new tarmac, I hope to help the team get off to a good start. The WEC campaign has been perfect so far and I want to keep it going this weekend,” explains the Spaniard.