Toyota Gazoo Racing Clinches Podium Finish at Lone Star Le Mans

Toyota Gazoo Racing Clinches Podium Finish at Lone Star Le Mans (TGR): Toyota Gazoo Racing 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 tyre 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.

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 third place by the first pit stop.

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. After their main rival pitted a lap later, emerging two seconds behind, he did this. 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 participated in many different motorsports forms, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 ‎Hours endurance race. Separate entities within the company oversaw these events until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR ‎to consolidate all of its motorsport 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. This race will challenge drivers with its high-speed flowing corners and tight technical turns at the renowned Fuji Speedway.

Race Notes:

• 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid Electric Hypercar (Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries)
• Position: 2nd
• of Laps: 183
• Best lap: 1:52.564
• Elapsed time: 6:00:25.535