WEC – Toyota plans to respond to Audi in Sao Paulo

Toyota se prépare à effectuer sa rentrée aux 6 Heures de Sao Paulo où le constructeur japonais avait célébré l’an dernier sa première victoire au WEC. After choosing to contest the remaining events with a single car, the Japanese team focused on optimizing its LMP1. The TS030 n°8 by Stéphane Sarrazin, Sébastien Buemi and Anthony Davidson will arrive at Interlagos with numerous developments, the main ones relating to the front wheel arches, the engine cover and the rear wing as well as other aerodynamic features adapted to the tracks. The hybrid system has also been optimized (like Audi's) to be more suited to the six-hour event format. Anthony Davidson and Sébastien Buemi validated the developments following a two-day test session held at the beginning of the month on the Lausitzring circuit where the two drivers covered around 1500km.

The work carried out since 24 Hours of Le Mans where the No. 8 Toyota took second seems to have boosted the drivers' confidence. ?The TS030 has changed a lot since Le Mans to provide more downforce, which will be important on a short track like Interlagos where grip plays a key role?, underlines the Briton. “Our test at the Lausitzring went well and the sensations were good with the new package. We hope that these changes will reduce the gap with Audi, but we also know that it will be a real challenge to repeat last year?s victory. » His Swiss teammate also believes that the Toyota should benefit from an essential boost in performance to overcome the R18 e-tron quattro. “It’s great to race at Interlagos with the TS030 HYBRID and I can’t wait to see how our hybrid system performs on this track. Compared to Le Mans, Interlagos is a much shorter route and traffic will be an important factor during the race. This is where the boosts generated by the hybrid system can be a real advantage. It looks like we've made a big step with these improvements. It won't be easy to win in Sao Paulo but that's the goal we have set for ourselves. »