Latest victory puts Toyota in strong 11-point manufacturers’ championship lead
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) secured second place at the Lone Star Le Mans, round six of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Through smart tire strategy, flat-out driving, quick pit stops, and a unified team effort, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries overcame the odds in their No. 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid Electric Hypercar in front of more than 65,000 fans. TGR’s relentless determination has moved Toyota into the lead of the manufacturers’ World Championship with an 11-point advantage.
Nobuyuki Takemura, Chief Representative of Middle East & Central Asia Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, commented: “Congratulations to Conway, Kobayashi, De Vries and TGR for this well-deserved podium finish at the Lone Star Le Mans. Toyota’s motorsports participation, through vehicles such as the Toyota GR010 Hybrid Electric Hypercar, continues to push the limits of what our electrified vehicle technology can achieve, aiding the development of ‘ever-better cars’ for Toyota’s customers worldwide and shaping a more sustainable future where no one is left behind. Thank you to every member of TGR for making this achievement possible, and to every Toyota fan who fuels our passion for this incredible sport.”
Conway began ninth in the No.7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid Electric Hypercar and skillfully advanced despite early contact, making a remarkable double overtake on lap eight to reach sixth. His strong pace brought him to the third place by the first pit stops. De Vries took over and continued to push, improving their position as the hot weather conditions affected some Hypercar rivals. By the third hour, Conway was back behind the wheel, and the No.7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid Electric Hypercar was in second, thanks to De Vries’ impressive stint. Conway increased the pace, setting a new fastest lap.
An aggressive strategy led to an early pit stop at the end of the fourth hour, giving Kobayashi clear air to take the lead, which he did after their main rival pitted a lap later, emerging two seconds behind. However, a race-deciding drive-through penalty with 40 minutes remaining, due to a yellow flag infraction, dropped Kobayashi to second, nine seconds behind the leader. Kobayashi pushed hard to recover and finished a close second, crossing the line just 1.780 seconds behind the winner.
Over the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. Toyota’s participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR, to consolidate all of its motorsport’s activities under one in-house brand. Representing Toyota’s belief that ‘the roads build the people, and the people build the cars,’ TGR highlights the role of motorsports as a fundamental pillar of Toyota’s commitment to making ‘ever-better’ cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsports events, TGR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone.
Round seven of the FIA WEC unfolds on home ground this year during 6 Hours of Fuji on 15 September. Taking place at the renowned Fuji Speedway, this race will challenge drivers with its high-speed flowing corners and tight technical turns.