Kobayashi after the retirement of the No. 7 Toyota: “These 24 Hours of Le Mans are difficult”

The Japanese driver was understandably frustrated by the scenario which led to the retirement of one of the two Japanese Hypercars in Sarthe.

Published on 11/06/2023 à 02:45

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Kobayashi after the retirement of the No. 7 Toyota: “These 24 Hours of Le Mans are difficult”

The No. 7 Toyota was one of the victims of the night at Le Mans / © DPPI

Five-time defending champion 24 Hours of Le Mans, Toyota must clearly roll up their sleeves to try to retain their crown in this particularly lively Centenary edition.

If the GR010 n°8 of the trio Sébastien Buemi-Brendon Hartley-Ryo Hirakawa was leading the race at 02:30 a.m. on Sunday, the garage curtain for the sister car, number 7, had fallen earlier in the night.

Struck by the Ferrari JMW Motorsport n°66 approaching a Slow Zone, Kamui Kobayashi was unable to return to his stand due to excessive damage to his Hypercar.

« I was in the Slow Zone approach area and the guy in front (a Alpine LM P2. Editor's note) braked for I don't know what reason, said the Japanese driver. I had to do the same because if I had exceeded it I would have been sanctioned. So I braked and the guys behind hit me.

Both of my rear tires were punctured and the left rear driveshaft was broken. I no longer had the means to return to the pits. It's frustrating.

We have one car left in the race and I will do everything to support them because I am certainly a driver but also Team Principal. We will do our best. These 24 Hours of Le Mans are difficult ».

Difficult, cruel, but exciting!