Toyota, the end of the solo rider at Sebring

Six years. Six years since Toyota has not experienced adversity commensurate with him. The Japanese manufacturer goes it alone in the World ChampionshipEndurance since 2018 and the departure of Porsche of the premier category. Since then, the team has won all the titles and all the 24 Hours of Le Mans, without real competition. Rebellion then Alpine failed to stop Toyota hegemony, while Peugeot , back in WEC last year, has not yet been at the level to really worry the Japanese firm. 

In 2023, the situation changes. Toyota will have to face big names in motorsport. Ferrari, Porsche, Peugeot and even Cadillac: adversaries that match the means and ambitions of the Japanese manufacturer. Logically, with its eleven years of continuous experience in the WEC and with a proven GR010, Toyota arrives at Sebring as the long-time favorite.

On the atypical and bumpy Florida track, the team led by Kamui Kobayashi expects a far from easy race. “For all Hypercar teams, Sebring will be a big challengei, underlined the Japanese driver, still a member of the No. 7 crew this season. We have prepared intensively and we are fully motivated to defend our world and Le Mans championship titles. It will be difficult to compete with manufacturers of the caliber of Ferrari, Peugeot and Porsche at Le Mans, as well as the other Hypercars, but it is also exciting to be part of such a battle at the front. »

No room for error at Toyota

Toyota will be keen to take its revenge in 2022: penalized by an unfavorable BoP, the Japanese team neither took pole nor won at Sebring, both coming down to Alpine. The structure based in Cologne (Germany) intends to rectify the situation and win in the opening round to send a message to the competition. A challenge that excites the public, but also the drivers.

“I can't wait to start this battle against all our new Hypercar competitors, welcomes Sébastien Buemi, driver of the No. 8 Toyota and reigning world champion. It’s a real privilege to be involved in the WEC this year and I’m looking forward to an exciting challenge. I love racing at Sebring and I know what it feels like to win there too, after our victory with the #8 car in 2019. I'm sure we'll fight at the front again, even though we know that the competition will be close. We will have no room for error; more than ever, we need to pull out all the stops and have a perfect weekend. We have the experience and know-how, so I'm sure we'll be in a strong position. »

In 2023, Toyota has chosen stability for this new era of endurance. Same drivers, same crews and a slightly evolved Hypercar: the Japanese firm wants to have all the cards in hand to quickly win this season. Before the departure of 1000 Miles of Sebring, the team will go through the prologue box this weekend (March 11-12) in order to refine its settings and prepare its strategy. 

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