Toyota has revealed its new hybrid Le Mans model that will contend in the 2016 World Endurance Championship, the highest tier for endurance racing and whose emphasize is the 1 Day of Le Mans. The car is the TS050 Hybrid, like it its TS040 precursor, it will certainly contend in the premier LMP1 Hybrid class alongside comparable prototypes from Audi and also Porsche.
Toyota, which won the title in 2014 yet lost it to Porsche in 2014, will field two TS050s under the new banner Toyota Gazoo Racing, one putting on the number 5 and the various other the number 6. The number 5 auto will certainly be piloted by returning motorists: Anthony Davidson, Sébastien Buemi as well as Kazuki Nakajima. The number 6 automobile will certainly be piloted by Stéphane Sarrazin and Mike Conway, that are likewise returning. Driving the number 6 automobile will be Kamui Kobayashi, who replaces lately retired Alex Wurz.
Kobayashi is a previous Formula One motorist that formerly drove for Toyota’s F1 group, as well as Caterham and Sauber. He’s also driven in the WEC’s GT course for Ferrari [NYSE: RACE] partner AF Corse, and also most recently he was working as an examination and also reserve limo driver for Toyota’s WEC team.
The most recent vehicle, which has actually been established by Toyota Motorsport Gmbh based in Cologne, Germany, likewise embraces a new black, white and also red livery. The new color pattern, which drops heaven of the previous cars, highlights the brand-new partnership in between Toyota and Gazoo.
The 2016 WEC will organize its first race at the Silverstone Circuit on April 17. Round 3, the 24 Hr of Le Mans, will take place in June. Organizers have actually revealed there will certainly be 60 cars taking to the grid at the French race, a capacity not seen given since the year of 1955.
