Both cars analysed different mechanical and aerodynamic configurations to kick off a process of set-up development which will continue throughout next week’s practice sessions. The opening hour saw Kazuki, a three-time Le Mans winner and 2018-19 World Champion, complete his first laps of the Circuit de la Sarthe since taking the chequered flag in second place to complete the 2021 race.Īs the track, which partly consists of public roads, got cleaner, the team’s programme began in full. The morning session began at 10am in warm, sunny conditions and both cars initially completed installation laps during the first 45 minutes. Cherry blossom flowers and buds have been added to emphasise the team’s Japanese DNA and symbolise the advanced technology which continues to be nurtured at Le Mans as part of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s commitment to sustainability and making ever-better motorsports-bred cars. Sébastien Buemi will join up with the team on Monday having missed the test due to other racing commitments.Ī new, modified livery on the GR010 HYBRIDs made its track debut today. Last year’s winners Ryo Hirakawa and Brendon Hartley, sharing the #8 GR010 HYBRID with test and reserve driver Kazuki Nakajima, set the ninth fastest time of the day. That was 0.323secs behind the pace-setting #51 Ferrari.

Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López, in the #7 GR010 HYBRID, recorded the third quickest lap time overall, 3mins 29.827secs. The World Champions made valuable progress to improve set-ups during Sunday’s two sessions, completing a total of 1,798km during the only test day of the year at the 13.626km track. However, a surprising late rule change means the GR010 HYBRID Hypercars must compete with 37kg of additional weight. The team will challenge for a sixth consecutive Le Mans win in front of an expected 300,000 crowd on 10-11 June when it faces a record 16-strong Hypercar field on the race’s 100th anniversary. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing accelerated its preparations for the centenary edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours with an intense official test day at the historic Circuit de la Sarthe in France.

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