Nyck de Vries not surprised by his elimination in qualifying: “We are not fast”

Having qualified a distant 16th for the 24 2025 Hours of Le Mans, Nyck de Vries says a yellow flag and a lack of pure performance prevented her from aiming higher.

Published 11/06/2025 à 21:30

Comment on this article! ⁰

Nyck de Vries not surprised by his elimination in qualifying: "We are not fast"

The Toyota GR010 Hybrid sports a vintage livery from the 1998 GT-One. © DPPI / Julien Delfosse

This one, the specialists of the WEC were far from having predicted it. The Toyota GR010 Hybrid n°7, driven by Nyck de Vries, stumbled in the qualifying phase of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025, this Wednesday, June 11, and is not participating in the hyperbole (Thursday, 20 p.m.)! The Dutch driver had to settle for a pitiful 17th fastest time, 2'215 off the best time held by Alex Lynn's Cadillac. The GR010 Hybrid will gain a place on the grid after the disqualification of Porsche n°6.

Questioned as he got out of the car, the driver who shares the wheel with Mike conway et Kamui Kobayashi indicated that a neutralization had ruined his chances. "In our first attempt, the Toyotas were 9th and 10th. Without the yellow flag (linked to Paul-Loup Chatin's exit from the track in the bends Porsche. Editor’s note), we would have kept this position until the end of the session."

Eyes on the top 15! @BrendonHartley and @nyckdevries are ready to go 👊#ToyotaGAZOORacing #GR010HYBRID #WEC @FIAWEC # LeMans24 @ 24hoursoflemans pic.twitter.com/4e9xJpCoQg

— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC (@TGR_WEC) June 11, 2025

Nyck de Vries is pragmatic about the lack of rhythm displayed by the Japanese clan in Sarthe since the test day. "We know that at this point we are not fast. That will of course be our goal. (in view of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Editor’s note). That's where we need to focus our attention because, ultimately, qualifying isn't very relevant in a long-distance event like Le Mans. But I don't think we have the right pace for the race this (Wednesday) evening."

And to recall that in 2024, the trio of the Toyota n°7 had to start the competition from a less advantageous position, which did not prevent it from finishing in 2nd place behind Ferrari. "Last year we started from last place (from the Hypercar class, 23rd and penalized for causing a red flag. Editor's note). »

ALSO READ > Alex Lynn puts his Cadillac at the top of the qualifying timesheet: "It was incredible."