Toyota retouches its TS050 Hybrid for 2019-2020

It is as a great favorite for his own succession that the Toyota Gazoo Racing will appear tomorrow in Barcelona for the Prologue of the 2019-2020 season of the World ChampionshipEndurance WEC.

The Japanese team, also winner for the second consecutive year of the 24 Hours of Le Mans last June for the conclusion of the 2018-2019 Super-Season, will aim for the pass of three for this campaign, and will rely on a slightly reworked version of its LM P1 TS050 Hybrid prototype.

The aerodynamic package has undergone several changes, with a redesigned front end, while Toyota's competition department has worked to make several mechanical parts even more reliable to avoid any unpleasant surprises, the TS050 Hybrid having sometimes shown signs of weakness like at Spa in 2019.

“This year’s developments concern the optimization of details and reliability, comments technical director Pascal Vasselon. The most obvious change is the bodywork: we updated the aerodynamics of the car and elsewhere minor modifications were made to improve reliability.

Obviously last season we had the strongest package and it showed in the race results. But when you look at the development rate of our competitors, from Le Mans 2018 to Le Mans 2019, you see a big step forward in their performance.

Out of respect for their ability to improve their cars and extract more performance from their package, we couldn't stand by and do nothing. We never underestimated their capabilities, so we had to constantly improve our car whenever possible and efficient. »

If the crew of the No. 7 will remain identical to 2018-2019 with the unfortunate trio of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Kobayashi – Lopez – Conway, the big change will concern No. 8 with the arrival of Brendon Hartley, replacing Fernando Alonso, next to Sébastien Buemi et Kazuki Nakajima.

“Since Le Mans, I have done my first real test with the TS050 Hybrid and I already feel comfortable in the car, indicates the New Zealander. My goals are always personal rather than results-based, so I want to be at my best, although obviously a world championship and a victory at Le Mans would be appreciated. »

Especially for the car's final season, before the move to the Hypercar category, Toyota working around its GR Super Sport concept. The Prologue will be contested tomorrow in Catalonia, for two days of driving on the Montmelo track.