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Today Toyota announced its motorsports activities for 2015 during its annual Motorsports Press Conference in Japan. Highlights of the event were the announcement that Toyota will return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2017 and confirmation of Toyota Racing’s driver line-up for the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship.
World Rally Championship (WRC)
Over the next two years Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) will continue its test programme with the Yaris WRC car to prepare for a full return to the series in 2017, when updated technical regulations are expected to be introduced.
The new Yaris WRC features a 1.6-litre turbo-charged, direct-injection engine, which produces over 300 hp, while its chassis has been shaped through advanced simulation, testing and production techniques.
Developed and built exclusively by TMG at its technical centre in Cologne, Germany, the car has already completed a preliminary test programme on tarmac and gravel stages throughout Europe, creating a promising foundation on which to build over the coming months.
Over the next two years, as the team moves closer to WRC participation, the car will undergo a full test programme consisting of several WRC venues around Europe on a variety of surfaces, its development slowly expanding with the dedicated team of specialists to engineer and operate the car also being increased.
Junior Development Programme
Alongside the honing and evolution of the Yaris WRC, TMG is also hoping to generate more stars behind the wheel with the launch of its Junior Development Programme.
The first beneficiary of the scheme is Frenchman Eric Camilli, 27, who has already tested the Yaris WRC. He will now carry out the development programme alongside experienced countryman Stéphane Sarrazin, also a racer in Toyota’s FIA World Endurance Championship team, and Sebastian Lindholm, a veteran Finnish driver.
A rich rallying heritage
When the Yaris WRC makes its competitive debut in 2017, it will mark almost two decades since Toyota’s last World Championship rally, in 1999.
That season marked the end of over 25 years of continuous rally activity at TMG, which began life as Andersson Motorsport GmbH – named after company founder Ove Andersson – and competed in WRC as Toyota Team Europe (TTE).
In those days, TTE participated with iconic cars such as the Celica Twincam Turbo – and GT-Four variants – and the Corolla WRC, and featured legendary drivers such as Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol.
Since 1972, Toyota has achieved 149 podiums, 43 wins, four drivers’ and three manufacturers’ World Championship titles: a rich rallying heritage indeed.
World Endurance Championship
Toyota Racing will continue to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Last year, when it became possible to fully utilize the maximum potential of the hybrid system, the Toyota TS040 Hybrid won five out of eight races, winning the manufacturers’ and drivers’ world titles.
This year, the fourth year of participation, Toyota Racing will enhance its full-hybrid powertrain—the Toyota Hybrid System-Racing (THS-R)—aiming to extend both world titles, for the first time, win the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours (held June 13–14).
As World Champions, TOYOTA Racing will take the #1 and #2 plates while the individual driver line-ups have been fine-tuned for maximum performance.
The #1 car will feature drivers’ World Champions Anthony Davidson and Sébastien Buemi alongside Kazuki Nakajima. Alex Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin and Mike Conway will share the #2 car.
Mark Webber podium photobomb
TOYOTA Racing fans were rewarded with the best possible Easter treat, as the team finished in first and second places in the opening round of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship. (more…)
TOYOTA Racing TS040 HYBRID
You’ve heard it drive in anger on the race track. You’ve seen blurry and out of focus photos and video of it. At long last, it’s finally time to take the covers of TOYOTA Racing’s new 2014 contender for the FIA World Endurance Championships and Le Mans 24 Hours, the TS040 HYBRID. Click through the break for all the latest from the unveiling and the following FIA WEC Prologue official test. (more…)
TOYOTA Racing comes home
This weekend, TOYOTA Racing heads to Japan for the team’s home race where the #7 car was victorious 12 months ago. With the home crowd cheering the team on, TOYOTA Racing is again aiming for the top step of the podium. Follow our live race coverage throughout the race weekend after the break.
TS030 HYBRID at Interlagos in 2012
When the chequered flag fell at the end of the 6 Hours of São Paulo last year, our TOYOTA Racing team were euphoric for they brought the #7 car back to pick up the team’s maiden victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The team is now geared up to return to this happy hunting ground with an updated aero package and we’ve got an exclusive shot to whet your appetite before the weekend! Click through the break for our Brazil preview. (more…)
TOYOTA Racing Short Film
The 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship season resumes next weekend in Brazil after a 10-week long mid-year break. To help you get back to racing mood, we’ve got the official TOYOTA Racing feature film from the team’s last race, Le Mans 24 Hours. Watch the short film after the break. (more…)
#7 TS030 HYBRID
Welcome to Race Day at Circuit de la Sarthe! We will be covering TOYOTA Racing throughout the weekend on this post with news, pictures and videos. Check back regularly to catch up on everything going on at the race. You can also follow our team live on Twitter @Toyota_Hybrid. Click through the break for our coverage.
Sunset over La Sarthe
The starting grid is now determined. TOYOTA Racing #7 will start the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours race from P5 and #8 in P4. Read our final qualifying report after the break.
TOYOTA Racing 2013 Team Photo
The jewel in the crown of the FIA World Endurance Championship is closing in quick. The 90th anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours started earlier this week with Scrutineering on Sunday and Monday. Track action begins on Wednesday afternoon and we will be bringing all the action to you live on our social channels throughout the race week. Follow our live race blog after the break.
TOYOTA HYBRID System – Racing
At the heart of the TOYOTA Racing TS030 HYBRID challenging in the FIA World Endurance Championship is our innovative TOYOTA HYBRID System – Racing. Our petrol hybrid powertrain recovers energy under braking at designated energy recovery zones and delivers an incredible 300hp boost automatically as the car accelerates out of the corner. Find out more about how our hybrid racing technology works and see our exclusive video and CGI images after the break. (more…)