Toyota happy with its qualifying performance

Toyota est optimiste pour la suite du week-end à Shanghai (Chine). Au terme de qualifications particulièrement disputées, avec les six premières LMP1-H regroupées en moins de six dixièmes, le constructeur japonais a hissé sa première TS050 Hybrid, la n°5 confiée à Sébastien Buemi et Kazuki Nakajima dans cette séance, en deuxième position à seulement six centièmes de la pole décrochée par la Porsche n ° 1 of Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard.

“It’s good news to see that we were competitive today, especially because qualifying is generally not our strong point,” admitted Sébastien Buemi. I'm still a little frustrated to have lost time behind an LMP2 in the last corner because perhaps we could have won pole. The team's overall result remains very good. I'm optimistic for the race and I hope we can fight for victory. »

The Japanese brand is especially observing the progress of the No. 6 driven by Stéphane Sarrazin and Mike conway, teammates of Kamui Kobayashi, ranked fourth in qualifying. This crew is the biggest rival of the Championship leaders Dumas-Lieb-Jani, the drivers of the No. 919 2 Hybrid who only took sixth position at the end of the session.

“Our position could have been better, the car was efficient enough to aim higher,” regretted Stéphane Sarrazin. Mike had a lot of traffic and could have posted a better lap. Despite everything, we have good pace because we are generally fast in the race if we are in qualifying. »

The drivers of the No. 6 Toyota are still 23 points behind the crew of the No. 2 Porsche with two events remaining at the end of the season.

The start of the 6 Hours of Shanghai will take place tomorrow at 4 a.m. (French time) and will be followed live on Motors TV and L’Équipe 21.