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TOYOTA GAZOO Racing COMMITS TO ENDURANCE RACING
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will compete in the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season after reaffirming its commitment to the development of hybrid powertrain technology through motorsport. Following the publication of the LMP1 regulations for next season, which Toyota has played an active part in defining, the team can commit to enter its TS050 HYBRID race cars for at least the 2018-19 season.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to Exhibit GR Super Sport Concept at Tokyo Auto Salon 2018
Vehicle for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2018 to be revealedTOYOTA GAZOO Racing will be participating at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2018, an event showcasing customized cars, which is scheduled to be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, for three days from January 12-14, 2018. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing aims to develop its cars and people toward the goal of “making ever-better cars” through participation in motorsports activities, such as top category races including the World Rally Championship (WRC) and World Endurance Championship (WEC), as well as national rallies and races.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing announces 2018 activity for its Rally Challenge Program
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is pleased to announce a 2018 activity for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program, which supports young drivers competing in the tough global arena of World Rally. Drivers Takamoto Katsuta and Hiroki Arai, who were chosen after auditioning in 2015 and then trained by competing in rallies in Europe, will continue their training during 2018 while based in Finland with the cooperation of Tommi Mäkinen Racing.
Strong performance of Toyota Yaris WRC goes unrewarded in Australia
At the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship in Australia, Toyota Yaris WRC driver Esapekka Lappi has finished sixth. His team mate Jari-Matti Latvala was second right until the final Power Stage, when he went off. Nonetheless, he concludes the 2017 drivers’ championship in fourth position, after only the first full year for Toyota since returning to series for the first time in 18 years, while TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is third in the manufacturers’ championship on its debut.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WINS IN BAHRAIN
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing won for the fifth time in the nine-race 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with an impressive victory in the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain. The #8 TS050 HYBRID of Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima won by more than a lap in a race which marked Porsche's final LMP1 appearance in WEC.
Toyota Yaris WRC drivers move up the order in Australia
Heading into the final day of Rally Australia, Jari-Matti Latvala is runner-up with the chance to take full advantage of any opportunities that arise tomorrow, having powered his way up from fourth place this morning. Esapekka Lappi has also moved up into the points, despite the big handicap of running first on the road.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing ON BAHRAIN FRONT ROW
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing narrowly missed out on pole position in a closely-fought qualifying session for the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain, the final round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season. The #7 TS050 HYBRID of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez held top spot for much of the session but was denied a fifth pole of the season in the closing minutes by Porsche #1. They will start from second.
Toyota Yaris WRC drivers show their speed on first day of Rally Australia
Flying Finn Jari-Matti Latvala ends the opening day of Australian action in a fighting fourth place, ahead of his TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team mate Esapekka Lappi, who battled his way back up to 11th position following an early setback. Both cars had a challenging opening morning in the Australian forests before making up time in the afternoon, but are ready to take on the hot and demanding gravel conditions again tomorrow.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing ON TOP IN BAHRAIN
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing enjoyed a positive opening day of practice for the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain as it attempts to finish the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with a third consecutive victory. Following wins in the last two races at Fuji and Shanghai, the team is targeting a fifth victory from nine races this season and began strongly at Bahrain International Circuit.
A promising start for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Down Under
The Toyota Yaris WRC drivers have had a successful and productive shakedown for Rally Australia, the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship, which gets underway tonight with a ceremonial start. Jari-Matti Latvala set fourth-fastest time, despite not having his regular co-driver with him during the stage. Taking Miika Anttila’s place for the shakedown only was Sarah Jean Bell, a presenter for NBN News Channel Nine: one of the most popular news programmes in Australia. Esapekka Lappi was eighth, with both cars working through the usual preparations and systems checks before the gravel stages begin tomorrow morning.
LEXUS LC500 Wins the Championship in the Debut Year
KeePer TOM'S LC500 No. 37 co-piloted by Ryo HIRAKAWA/Nick CASSIDY finished second place with the all-new LEXUS LC500 at the Autobacs Super GT 2017 series in Twin Ring Motegi. The two young drivers won the championship at the youngest age ever. JMS P.MU LMcorsa RC F GT3 finished sixth place with drivers Yuichi NAKAYAMA/Sho TSUBOI. They finished the overall season in third place with the all-new LEXUS RC F GT3.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing BRACED FOR BAHRAIN BATTLE
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing aims to finish the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship season on a high with a third successive victory in the final race of the season, the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain. Toyota and World Champions Porsche are level on four wins each this season, with the TS050 HYBRIDs having won the last two races, setting up a deciding contest at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Australia the final test for the Yaris WRC in its development season
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team will conclude its debut season in the FIA World Rally Championship season at Rally Australia on November 16-19. At the end of a campaign where learning and car development has been the main priority, the Yaris WRC will be put through its paces competitively for one last time this year by Jari-Matti Latvala and Esapekka Lappi.
VICTORY IN CHINA FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing dominated the 6 Hours of Shanghai to win its fourth race of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season on a day tinged with frustration. Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima in the #8 TS050 HYBRID took victory by more than a lap from their nearest challengers for Toyota's third win in Shanghai, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process.
SHANGHAI POLE FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing took pole position for the 6 Hours of Shanghai in qualifying for the penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in China today. The #7 TS050 HYBRID of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez had been fastest in all three practice sessions and kept up the pace in qualifying, earning their fourth pole of the season by 0.440secs.
PROMISING PRACTICE FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing completed an encouraging opening day in China by setting the fastest lap time in practice for the 6 Hours of Shanghai, the penultimate round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The #7 TS050 HYBRID of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez were quickest of all with their lap time in second practice, just 0.279secs slower than the 2016 pole position.
CHINESE CHALLENGE FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is ready for the penultimate round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the 6 Hours of Shanghai. The team travels to China in a positive mood following a well-earned one-two finish in its home race at Fuji Speedway earlier this month, its third win from seven races in 2017.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing scores points in Wales
Jari-Matti Latvala and Esapekka Lappi both secured points finishes on Wales Rally GB, the penultimate round of the World Rally Championship, with Latvala also taking additional points thanks to a third-fastest time on the Power Stage. Latvala ended the rally in fifth place, less than a second behind the fourth-placed finisher, after winning two stages. Lappi was ninth, while Juho Hanninen was forced into retirement after a small mistake in tricky conditions on Saturday.
Latvala and the Yaris WRC in strong contention going into the final day
Jari-Matti Latvala goes into the final day of Wales Rally GB within touching distance of the podium positions after a long day of stages in which the performance improved throughout for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team. After taking a stage win in foggy and dark conditions, Latvala climbed to fourth place overall, while Esapekka Lappi also made progress to ninth. Sadly, Juho Hanninen was forced to retire following contact, having also posted stronger times.
Latvala leads Toyota effort after a tough day in Wales
All three TOYOTA GAZOO Racing drivers have made it through a challenging first full day of Wales Rally GB without any incidents. Jari-Matti Latvala holds fifth place overall and still has the podium positions within his sight with two days of rallying remaining. Juho Hanninen occupies 10th place, and Esapekka Lappi is only just behind.
Yaris WRC trio embark on Welsh adventure
The three TOYOTA GAZOO Racing drivers have completed the opening stage of Wales Rally GB, with Jari-Matti Latvala taking an early second place. His team-mates Esapekka Lappi and Juho Hanninen sit in sixth and eighth respectively.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing ready to attack the Welsh forests
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team takes on one of the most famous rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship with Rally GB from October 26-29. Drivers Jari-Matti Latvala, Juho Hanninen and Esapekka Lappi will head into the forests of Wales for the penultimate round of the season, looking to add to the strong potential displayed by the Yaris WRC during its debut campaign.
Ott Tanak named as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing driver in 2018
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team can confirm that Ott Tanak will drive the Yaris WRC from Rallye Monte-Carlo next year, together with his co-driver Martin Jarveoja. The 30-year-old Estonian, the winner of two rallies so far this season, has been one of the outstanding performers on the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship.
HOME ONE-TWO FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing earned a one-two finish at its home race following an eventful and rain-affected 6 Hours of Fuji, the seventh round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima won their third race of the season in the #8 TS050 HYBRID, Toyota's fifth victory in six events at Fuji Speedway.
FUJI FRUSTRATION FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing frustratingly missed a home pole position during an unfortunate qualifying for the 6 Hours of Fuji, the seventh round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The #8 TS050 HYBRID of Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima showed the speed to earn pole but were twice delayed by traffic and finished third fastest, 0.195secs away from the leading Porsche #2.
WET START TO HOME EVENT FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's preparations for its home race, the 6 Hours of Fuji, were disrupted by the weather on the opening day of practice for the seventh round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Persistent and often heavy rain hit Fuji Speedway and affected both 90-minute practice sessions today, making fastest lap time comparisons irrelevant.
LEXUS LC500 and LEXUS RC F GT3 Achieves Double Victory
KeePer TOM'S LC500 No.37 co-piloted by Ryo HIRAKAWA/Nick CASSIDY won their second victory with the all-new LEXUS LC500 at the Autobacs Super GT 2017 series at Thai Chang International Circuit. WAKO'S 4CR LC500 No.6 finished second place with drivers Kazuya OSHIMA/Andrea CALDARELLI.
Early mistakes affect the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge drivers on Rally de España
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge drivers Takamoto Katsuta and Hiroki Arai took part in their final event of the season last weekend: Rally de Espana. Mistakes from both drivers on the first morning of the FIA World Rally Championship round denied them strong results in the WRC2 class: Katsuta restarted after a crash to gain useful experience, while Arai had shown good speed before a roll ended his event early. Rally de Espana is the only mixed-surface event in the WRC calendar, with the first day contested on loose gravel stages before the cars are changed to asphalt specification on Friday night ready for two days on asphalt stages that are similar to a racing circuit: smooth, flowing and fast.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing HEADS HOME
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is targeting a return to winning ways when it competes on home ground this weekend in the 6 Hours of Fuji, the seventh round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Toyota has dominated the Japanese round of WEC since it returned to top-level endurance racing in 2012, winning four of the five races held at the spectacular Fuji Speedway in the shadow of Mount Fuji.
Hanninen secures a fine fourth place with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in Spain
Juho Hanninen completed the final six stages of the Rally de Espana without issues to claim a fourth place finish for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team on the mixed-surface event. On a rally he has not competed on for six years, Hanninen impressed with his speed after the switch from gravel to asphalt at the start of Saturday morning, when he took two stage wins to demonstrate the speed of the Yaris WRC on asphalt.
The Yaris WRC shows its sealed-surface speed in Spain
The switch from gravel to asphalt for the second day of Rally de Espana was followed by a superb performance for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team. Juho Hanninen won two stages and was second-fastest of everybody across the day as he climbed up from eighth place to fourth overall. Esapekka Lappi also showed the strong pace of the Yaris WRC as he rose from 10th to sixth place.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing looks ahead after a tough day on gravel
The opening day of Rally de Espana served up a challenging leg for TOYOTA Gazoo Racing World Rally Team. After a solid morning for the team, the afternoon began brightly with a stage win for Jari-Matti Latvala. Unfortunately he was unable to start the final stage of the day due to a mechanical problem. The team will investigate and hope to fix the issue so that Latvala can restart the rally tomorrow.
Toyota drivers all set for special Spanish challenge
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team is ready to take on Rally de Espana after successfully completing the shakedown stage close to Salou. The 2.97-kilometre test featured both gravel and asphalt in preparation for what is the only mixed-surface event of the season, beginning after tonight’s ceremonial start in the centre of Salou. The Toyota drivers took the shakedown with the Yaris WRC in gravel specification ready for Friday’s stages.
Nikara and Adachi finish third in the Finnish Rally Championship
Finland’s Jarkko Nikara and his Japanese co-driver Sayaka Adachi, a member of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge program, finished third in the Finnish Rally Championship despite a challenging final round at the Lake City Rally in Tampere. Carrying an electrical problem from the start, they finished ninth in the SM1 class, but that was still enough to be on the championship podium at the end of the year: a historic achievement for a Japanese co-driver.
Dual surface challenge ahead for the Yaris WRC in Spain
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team faces a fresh challenge on Rally de Espana (October 5-8): the only round of the FIA World Rally Championship run on both gravel and asphalt. This mixed-surface event will provide a thorough test of the development of the Yaris WRC during its first season. Already, the car has won on snow in Sweden in the hands of Jari-Matti Latvala and on gravel in Finland with Esapekka Lappi. Progress has been made on asphalt too as seen last time out in Germany, where Juho Hanninen finished fourth and all three drivers took stage wins.
Toyota Launches New “GR” Sports Car Series in Japanese Market
Toyota City, Japan, September 19, 2017―Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces the launch of the new “GR” sports car series. The “G Sports (G's)” sports conversion car series has until now served as a key component in initiatives to fuel excitement around sports car culture in Japan. Now, TMC has revolutionized the G's series by transforming it into the GR series. TMC’s aim is to bolster initiatives to foster a culture of enjoying cars through the driving experience. Plans call for TMC to further enhance the vehicle lineup in the future and have on offer a variety of parts.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing TAKES TEXAS PODIUM
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing finished on the podium in the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas after a race-long challenge for victory in the sixth round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The TS050 HYBRIDs recovered from a disappointing qualifying session to perform strongly, with the #8 of Sebastien Buemi, Stephane Sarrazin and Kazuki Nakajima finishing third, 21.680secs behind the winning Porsche #2 after 1,058km of racing.
SECOND ROW FRUSTRATION FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will start the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas from the second row after an extremely frustrating qualifying session for the sixth round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Sebastien Buemi, Stephane Sarrazin and Kazuki Nakajima, in the #8 TS050 HYBRID, were the lead Toyota in third place, with a gap of 1.659secs to the pole position #1 Porsche.
HARD WORK IN THE TEXAS HEAT FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing completed a hard day's work on a hot afternoon in Austin, Texas when practice got underway for the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas, the sixth round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez in the #7 were the lead TS050 HYBRID in third place after two 90-minute practice sessions, 0.959secs behind the pace-setting Po...
TEXAS TOUR FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing heads to Austin, Texas this week for the second North American round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas. The team moved directly from Mexico City, venue of the last round on 3 September, to Austin for the sixth round of the season at a track which is hosting WEC for the fifth time. Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi finished ...
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge drivers return to action on Oili Jalonen Ralli in Finland
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge drivers Takamoto Katsuta and Hiroki Arai, along with Japanese navigator Sayaka Adachi (co-driving for Jarkko Nikara) returned to action last weekend on the penultimate round of the Finnish Rally Championship: the Oili Jalonen Ralli, located in the city of Uusikapunki on the west coast of Finland. Both Japanese drivers were in a Ford Fiesta R5, whereas Nikara drove a Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Nikara finished second overall, Arai was on the podium in third and Katsuta was fifth, after mechanical difficulties in the morning.
TOUGH RACE FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing IN MEXICO
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing suffered disappointment in the fifth round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) despite a podium finish in the 6 Hours of Mexico. Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima in the #8 TS050 HYBRID earned the team's fifth podium of the season with third place in Mexico City, but that did not mask the team's frustration at not being able to challenge Porsc...
SECOND ROW START FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will start the 6 Hours of Mexico from the second row of the grid after a close but ultimately frustrating qualifying session for the fifth round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). In front of an enthusiastic crowd, the #7 TS050 HYBRID of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez took the fight to the Porsches. They narrowly missed the front row by 0.092secs and will start third.
SHORT START FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing IN MEXICO
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's 6 Hours of Mexico event got off to a short start with the opening practice session for the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Unlike other races, which begin with two 90-minute sessions on the opening day, the Mexican timetable featured only one session today, with second practice moving to a packed Saturday schedule. On an afternoon of mixed weather c...
LEXUS LC500 and RCF GT3 Both Recorded 4th Place
WedsSport ADVAN LC500 No.19 recorded a fourth-place result with the all-new LEXUS LC500 at the Autobacs Super GT 2017 series at Suzuka Circuit with drivers Yuhi SEKIGUCHI, Yuji KUNIMOTO and Kamui KOBAYASHI.
MEXICAN MISSION FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing kicks off the second half of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season this weekend with a trip across the Atlantic for round five, the 6 Hours of Mexico. The team has won two of the four races so far in 2017 and continues to challenge Porsche for the manufacturers' World Championship. Going into the Mexican round, Toyota is 39.5 points behind in second, with a max...
In Pursuit of “Making Ever-better Cars,” Toyota Kicks Off Fourth Leg of the Five Continents Drive Project in Europe
Toyota City, Japan, August 23, 2017 ? In late August, Toyota will kick off the fourth leg of the Five Continents Drive Project in Europe, the third continent in the project. Following Australia in 2014 and the Americas* in 2015 and 2016, the European leg will cover a total of 19,000 kilometers.
A strong finish for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in Germany
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team enjoyed a great final day on Rallye Deutschland with two more stage wins, taking its total this weekend to five and demonstrating the progress that the team is making with the Yaris WRC on asphalt. Juho Hanninen took his second stage win of the event as he finished a superb fourth overall. Jari-Matti Latvala finished seventh, while Esapekka Lappi also scored a stage win to end his challenging event on a high note.
Yaris WRC drivers experience the highs and lows of Baumholder
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team took two more stage wins on day three of Rallye Deutschland. The first of these came when Juho Hanninen went fastest on the first run over the notorious Panzerplatte stage: one of the most famous and difficult tests of the entire FIA World Rally Championship. On a rally he is contesting for the first time in six years, Hanninen then continued his fine performance when he climbed to fourth overall at the beginning of the afternoon.
Tricky asphalt tests TOYOTA GAZOO Racing trio
The first full day of competition on Rallye Deutschland was dominated by challenging weather conditions, with changing grip levels during the morning stages and heavy rain in the afternoon. Juho Hanninen ended the day holding sixth overall for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, two places ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala.
New super special stage kicks off the action for the Yaris WRC drivers
The Yaris WRC drivers have completed the opening super special stage of Rallye Deutschland: a new test for this year around the streets of Saarbrucken. Jari-Matti Latvala leads the team’s charge in sixth, followed by Juho Hanninen in 12th and Esapekka Lappi in 13th: who set exactly the same time.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing looks to continue momentum on German asphalt
After a hugely successful home event in Finland, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team now heads to Rally Germany for the next round of the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship season. As only the second pure asphalt event for the Yaris WRC, the main objective is to further develop the car on sealed surfaces. The team aims to maintain its confidence, while switching to a new focus on asphalt.
LEXUS LC500 Achieves Fifth Consecutive Podium
ZENT CERUMO LC500 No.38 co-piloted by Yuji TACHIKAWA/Hiroaki ISHIURA finished third place with the all-new LEXUS LC500 at the Autobacs Super GT 2017 series at Fuji International Speedway. The LEXUS LC500 has now achieved its fifth consecutive podium.
Good speed unrewarded for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge drivers on Rally Finland
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge drivers Takamoto Katsuta and Hiroki Arai were in action last weekend on Rally Finland, the latest round of the FIA World Rally Championship. Both drivers failed to finish after accidents during the final day of the rally, although they had set competitive stage times despite suffering from technical issues in their Ford Fiesta R5s.
Historic result for Toyota Yaris WRC at home
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team has claimed a stunning victory on home territory at Rally Finland, with Esapekka Lappi claiming his debut victory and Juho Hanninen finishing third: the first time the team has had two cars on the podium. Not only that, but the Yaris WRC led for 22 stages out of 25 in total, claiming 18 stage wins, 13 stage one-two finishes and one stage one-two-three finishes.
Lappi leads for TOYOTA into final day of Rally Finland
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team continues to lead Rally Finland with only four stages remaining after the Yaris WRC was the car to beat again over Saturday’s stages. It was quickest on the first six of the day’s eight stages, and has now won 15 of the 21 stages held so far. The team’s newest driver Esapekka Lappi leads with a margin of 49.1 seconds.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team first and second in Finland
Tonight marks a historic occasion for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, with the Yaris WRC holding first and second places overnight for the first time in its history. Not only that, but the car set nine fastest stage times today (out of 12 stages) and was first and second on a stage six times.
Toyota Yaris WRC begins the ‘Finnish Grand Prix’
Rally Finland got underway this evening with a short 2.31-kilometre special stage at Harju, following shakedown in the morning at Ruuhimaki: a classic Rally Finland stage with compacted gravel roads and big jumps. The special stage was less typical, with mixed surfaces and tight chicanes.
Fourth Consecutive Victory for the LEXUS LC500
DENSO KOBELCO SARD LC500 No.1 co-piloted by Heikki KOVALAINEN/Kohei HIRATE won the tough race under an unstable weather condition and brought the team a first victory with the all-new LEXUS LC500 this season at the Autobacs Super GT 2017 series at Sportsland SUGO.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s TRIO OF FINNS READY TO FLY AT HOME
Rally Finland is famous for its fast gravel stages through forests, featuring large jumps and numerous crests. Many of these are located on corners, making the positioning of the car for the perfect take-off crucial to carrying speed through the bend. The stages are mostly wide with a smooth and compact gravel surface that contributes to the rapid pace.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing AND MICROSOFT LAUNCH “EchoCam” FOR UNPRECEDENTED WRC VIEWING EXPERIENCE
Exploring new ways to bring rally fans closer to the World Rally Championship action, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and its technology partner, Microsoft, are launching the “EchoCam” service at the 2017 Neste Rally Finland. EchoCam is an entirely new service that connects fans’ photos of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Yaris WRC and a video shot from the car’s point of view by using the cloud service: Microsoft Azure.
NURBURGRING PODIUM FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing took its first-ever podium in the 6 Hours of Nurburgring on a challenging day for the team in the fourth round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The Nurburgring, just 90km from the team's Cologne base, has traditionally been a difficult venue for Toyota and that proved to be the case again.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing NETS NURBURGRING POLE
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will start the 6 Hours of Nurburgring from pole position after an impressive performance in qualifying for the fourth round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez took top spot by 0.154secs from the #2 Porsche for a third pole position in four races for the #7 TS050 HYBRID they share with Mike Conway.
SOLID START FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing made a solid start to practice for the 6 Hours of Nurburgring, the fourth round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). With two wins from three races this season, Toyota is battling for the manufacturers' World Championship, 24.5 points behind Porsche with a total of 264 points to fight for from the remaining six races.
A Challenge with passion that we hate to lose Part 3
Kamui Kobayashi won the pole position in the No. 7 TS050 HYBRID with an astonishing time at the qualifying sessions of this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. After the race started, the No. 7 and No. 8 Toyota cars took the lead in the early stages of the race. However, night driving in the Le Mans race turned out to have harsh trials in store for the three TS050 HYBRIDs.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing HEADS TO NURBURGRING
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing resumes its 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with the short trip to the Eifel this weekend for the 6 Hours of Nurburgring. Despite a deeply disappointing Le Mans 24 Hours last month, the team remains in a close fight with Porsche for both the manufacturers' and drivers' World Championships and is targeting a return to winning form at the Nurburgring.
Latvala wins the Power Stage, Hanninen also scores
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team ended a challenging event at Rally Poland by taking the win in the Power Stage with Jari-Matti Latvala. It was his fourth stage win of the weekend and gave him five points to add to his championship score, lifting him up into third in the standings. Latvala had retired from Saturday but before that he was involved in a close battle for the win, and led in wet and slippery conditions on the first day. Juho Hanninen also scored, finishing in 10th position.
Hanninen the top Yaris WRC driver after a challenging day in Poland
Juho Hanninen ends Saturday of Rally Poland in 11th position, after a challenging day in which every team hit problems. Jari-Matti Latvala maintained his place in the lead battle until encountering a mechanical issue on stage 16 that forced him to stop from third place. He will return to action tomorrow under Rally 2 regulations.
TOYOTA in the lead battle with Latvala in slippery conditions
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team driver Jari-Matti Latvala has been firmly involved in a close lead battle on the first full day of action on Rally Poland. Setting the early pace on extremely wet, muddy and slippery stages in his Yaris WRC, Latvala led the field at midday service and ended the day third.
Rain and sunshine as Rally Poland gets underway
Rally Poland started with varied weather conditions that could hold a clue about what is to come over the next three days. Shakedown was held in largely muddy conditions, while torrential rain meant that the ceremonial start was cancelled. However, conditions later dried up sufficiently for the super special stage to go ahead this evening.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing accelerates onto super-fast Polish stages
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team will take on some of the fastest roads in the FIA World Rally Championship on Rally Poland from June 29 to July 2, when it will look to continue its strong momentum last time out in Sardinia. Now the team faces a brand-new challenge on rapid gravel stages that are very different from those of southern Europe, but with the possibility of more very hot weather.
Akio Toyoda Comment Concerning 24 Hours of Le Mans
“Sorry we weren't able to let you drive all out.” Normally, it would be proper to start off with words of appreciation for the support provided to us by our fans. However, for this time at Le Mans, I think I must first direct my opening words to our drivers. To me, at Le Mans for the first time, our drivers said, “We want you up together with us at the center of the podium”, “For that, we definitely don't want to lose”, and “So fight together with us.”
LE MANS AGONY FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing endured a painful Le Mans 24 Hours in which two of its TS050 HYBRIDs did not reach the chequered flag while the remaining car finished ninth. Later, as one of higher ranked cars was judged disqualified, the car officially ranked eighth. Hopes were high of a first TOYOTA win at Le Mans when the pole position-winning #7 TS050 HYBRID of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Stephane Sarrazin led for the opening 10 hours but it retired at 1.15am following a clutch problem.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing: LE MANS UPDATE 4
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing suffered an agonising night at the 85th Le Mans 24 Hours which saw two of its TS050 HYBRID cars retire from the race within 30 minutes of each other. The race-leading #7 of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Stephane Sarrazin suffered a clutch problem towards the end of the 10th hour. Kamui and the team tried valiantly to bring it back to the pits but he eventually had to park th...
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing: LE MANS UPDATE 3
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing continues to lead the Le Mans 24 Hours and is part of an exciting battle for victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe. Stephane Sarrazin was the last of the three #7 TS050 HYBRID drivers, after Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi, to complete his stint and handed over a lead of just over 20 seconds after night fell at Le Mans. The #8 car of Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki N...
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing: LE MANS 24 HOURS UPDATE 2
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing retained the lead of the Le Mans 24 Hours as the 85th edition of the race moved into its evening stage. Pole position setter Kamui Kobayashi successfully completed his first stints behind the wheel, extending the lead over the #1 Porsche to more than half a minute for the #7 TS050 HYBRID he shares with Mike Conway and Stephane Sarrazin.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing: LE MANS 24 HOURS UPDATE 1
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing leads the 85th Le Mans 24 Hours after the opening stages of the race on a very hot afternoon at the Circuit de la Sarthe. The #7 TS050 HYBRID of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Stephane Sarrazin, led the race after the first driver changes around 5.30pm, with the #8 of Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima in second.
A Challenge with passion that we hate to lose Part 2
The 24 Hours of Le Mans race is approaching. Kazuki Nakajima, who experienced last year's incident. And Kamui Kobayashi, who stepped to the podium in Le Mans for the first time. What were their feelings at the time? And besides the disappointment, what did the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team gain at Le Mans? We have asked about their commitment for the coming Le Mans race.
RECORD LE MANS POLE FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
World Championship leaders TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will start the 85th Le Mans 24 Hours from pole position after setting the fastest-ever lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe in the final qualifying sessions on Thursday evening. Kamui Kobayashi became the second Japanese driver to earn pole position with a lap of 3mins 14.791secs at 8.14pm during second qualifying in the #7 TS050 HYBRID he shares with Mike Conway and Stephane Sarrazin for an average speed of 251.9km/h.
PROVISIONAL LE MANS POLE FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
World Championship leaders TOYOTA GAZOO Racing hold provisional pole position after the first qualifying session for the Le Mans 24 Hours, the third round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Having won the opening two WEC races of the season, TOYOTA is aiming to win Le Mans for the first time, having made its debut in 1985, and the TS050 HYBRID cars made a strong start to the event.
A Challenge with passion that we hate to lose
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a race with a more than 90-year history. The 2016 Le Mans had a dramatic finish rarely seen in its history. With just three minutes remaining in the race, the hopes of victory for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team were dashed in the most painful way. ith the start of the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans approaching, we look back at "that conclusion" and the story that began at the Le mans two years ago, based on the words by the people involved.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Challenge Program Podium finish for Katsuta in Italy, but bad luck for his team mates
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge driver Takamoto Katsuta scored his best-ever World Rally Championship result on Rally Italia Sardegna, finishing third in the hotly-contested WRC2 category. His team mate Hiroki Arai set some promising times, but was unable to get to the end.
Podium for Latvala, points and fastest times for Lappi and Hanninen
At the end of an incredibly challenging four days for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, it was an excellent result: second for Jari-Matti Latvala, narrowing the points gap to the championship leader, while Esapekka Lappi was fourth, having claimed a remarkable six fastest stage times (including the Power Stage): more than any other driver this weekend. Juho Hanninen led the rally on Friday and also won a stage, eventually finishing sixth.
Latvala challenges for lead with all three Yaris WRCs in top five
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team driver Jari-Matti Latvala is challenging for victory on Rally Italia Sardegna: almost certainly the roughest, and one of the hottest, rallies of the year. Latvala is second, with all three Yaris WRC drivers in the top five: Esapekka Lappi is fourth, having won the final stage of the day, while Juho Hanninen is fifth.
First one-two stage time for Yaris WRC as Lappi stars
In a very successful day for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, Juho Hanninen led the rally in the morning, while Esapekka Lappi set three fastest stage times: including a Yaris WRC one-two on SS7 this afternoon. Today’s action covered eight stages, with all three drivers finishing the first full day in the provisional points.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing READY FOR LE MANS
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will revisit the scene of its most dramatic moment later this month for the 85th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours, the third round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). As World Championship leaders, the team travels to Le Mans inspired by the heartbreak of last year's Le Mans when victory slipped away on the penultimate lap and the overwhelming reaction of fans worldwide.
Three-car Yaris WRC squad begins the challenge of Sardinia
For only the second time this season, three Toyota Yaris WRC cars took the start of a World Championship Rally, with Jari-Matti Latvala, Juho Hanninen and Esapekka Lappi completing the opening mixed-surface super special stage in Sardinia, before embarking on a long road section to the other side of the island in preparation for tomorrow’s action.
STRONG START AT LE MANS FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing finished in the top three positions at the end of a productive official test day at the Circuit de la Sarthe for the Le Mans 24 Hours, the third round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Kamui Kobayashi set the fastest lap of the day in the #7 TS050 HYBRID he shares with Mike Conway and Stephane Sarrazin.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing trio take on Sardinian gravel challenge
Another gruelling gravel event lies in store for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team on round seven of the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship: Rally Italia Sardegna. The team continues to develop its Yaris WRC challenger during its debut season and for the second event in a row there will be three cars entered, driven by Jari-Matti Latvala, Juho Hanninen and Esapekka Lappi, who scored points on his top-level WRC debut in Portugal. Lappi’s car will be a test and development car, designed to help accelerate the evolution of the Yaris WRC during this learning season.
THE 24 HOURS OF NURBURGRING 2017
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing FINISHES 2ND IN THE SP3T CLASS AND 25TH OVERALLTOYOTA GAZOO Racing competed in the 45th of The 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race, held at Germany’s Nurburgring from Thursday May 25th through Sunday May 28th, 2017. The Lexus RC (car No.170, driven by Takuto Iguchi, Takamitsu Matsui, Naoya Gamo, and Hisashi Yabuki*1) successfully completed the race, finishing 2nd in the SP3T*2 class and 25th overall.
BUSY WEEKEND FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing RALLY CHALLENGE DRIVERS AND CO-DRIVERS, IN PORTUGAL AND FINLAND
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge drivers and co-drivers were competing at opposite ends of Europe last weekend, on the FIA World Rally Championship round in Portugal and the latest event on the Finnish Rally Championship at the Riihimaki Rally in southern Finland.
LEXUS LC500 Won Victory for 3 Consecutive Races
au TOM'S LC500 No.36 co-piloted by Kazuki NAKAJIMA/James ROSSITER won victory with the all-new LEXUS LC500 at the AUTOBACS Super GT 2017 Series at Autopolis International Racing Course. LEXUS LC500 achieves victory for 3 consecutive races.
All three Yaris WRCs in top 10: Power Stage points for Lappi on debut
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team has finished one of the most demanding rallies of the year with all three cars in the top 10, after entering a trio of drivers for the first time. Making his debut was Esapekka Lappi, who claimed two points by setting fourth-fastest time on the Power Stage. Juho Hanninen was seventh, Jari-Matti Latvala was ninth despite not feeling well, and Lappi was 10th.
All three Toyota Yaris WRCs fighting for a strong finish to Rally Portugal
With just one day of Rally Portugal left to run, all three Toyota Yaris WRC drivers are in contention for points despite each having to contend with different issues during Saturday’s six stages. Juho Hanninen ends the day in seventh place, Jari-Matti Latvala is ninth, while Esapekka Lappi is 11th, having dropped several minutes on the final stage.
A twist at the end of Friday on a demanding Rally Portugal
Friday’s final gravel stage on Rally Portugal provided a cruel surprise for Jari-Matti Latvala, who lost second place after a roll in tricky conditions that also caught out many other drivers. Nonetheless, all three Yaris WRCs are still in strong contention with Juho Hanninen seventh, Esapekka Lappi eighth, and Jari-Matti 13th despite his problems.
Three Toyotas take the start for the first time, at Rally Portugal
For the first time, three examples of the Toyota Yaris WRC have taken the start of a World Championship rally, with Esapekka Lappi joining regular drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hanninen for Rally Portugal. Following this morning’s shakedown, the competitive action got underway with a 3.36-kilometre super special in Lousada.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing COMPETES IN THE 24 HOURS OF NURBURGRING FOR THE 11TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is to compete in the Lexus RC in the 45th of The 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race, to be held at Germany's Nurburgring from Thursday May 25th through Sunday May 28th, 2017. The 24 Hours of Nurburgring is a grueling race that involves driving continuously for twenty-four hours on a 25 kilometer course featuring 300 meters of elevation change and about 200 corners.
DRIVER LINE-UP ADJUSTMENT TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing can confirm a modified driver line-up to optimise its competitive level in next month's Le Mans 24 Hours, the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi will now share the #7 TS050 HYBRID with Stephane Sarrazin for Le Mans, recreating the line-up which finished second last year at La Sarthe on its way to third in the drivers' World Championship.
Expanded TOYOTA GAZOO Racing squad prepared for popular Portugal
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team heads to Rally de Portugal (May 18-21) with hopes of accelerating the development of the Yaris WRC in its debut FIA World Rally Championship season. Thanks to some challenging and technical stages, Portugal will as usual be an extremely tough rally, but the Toyota squad will use it to learn more about what is needed to compete at the top and improve the Yaris WRC further, as has been the case on every event up to now. For the first time, a third car will be entered for testing purposes with Esapekka Lappi behind the wheel, joining Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hanninen in action on the gravel event, which serves as round six of the 2017 season.
ONE-TWO FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing AT SPA
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing took its second consecutive victory of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with a one-two in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Silverstone winners Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima, in the #8 TS050 HYBRID, again took top step of the podium to extend their lead in the drivers' World Championship to 17 points.
SPA SPEED BUT NO POLE FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing set the fastest lap but missed out on pole position during an incident-packed qualifying for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). A red flag, traffic and other dramas entertained the fans during the 25-minute session, in which Stephane Sarrazin recorded the quickest time.
LEXUS LC500 and LEXUS RC F GT3 Achieves Double Victory at ”Home”Track
ZENT CERUMO LC500 No.38 co-piloted by Yuji TACHIKAWA/Hiroaki ISHIURA won victory at the SUPER GT Round.2 FUJI GT 500km race with the all-new LEXUS LC500 at the AUTOBACS Super GT 2017 Series at Fuji International Speedway. LEXUS LC500 has achieved victory in three years at their ”home” track.
STRONG START AT SPA FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing completed a busy and positive first day by setting the fastest lap time in practice for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi will share the #7 car alone this weekend due to the absence of Jose Maria Lopez, who is recovering from his Silverstone accident.
BELGIUM BECKONS FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will race with three TS050 HYBRID cars for the first time when the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) heads to Belgium for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps this weekend. Having won the first race of the year, at Silverstone last month, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is ready for one of its three home WEC events; the Spa circuit is located just 120km from the team's headquarters in Cologne, Germany.
Double points finish for Toyota on a massively tough Rally Argentina
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team finished with both crews inside the top 10 for the second time this year, on what was widely acknowledged as the toughest event of the season so far: Rally Argentina. Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila finished fifth, with Juho Hanninen and Kaj Lindstrom were two places behind them in seventh, after four challenging days of action.
Toyota drivers continue to make progress in Argentina
At the end of the longest day of Rally Argentina, both Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hanninen have improved their positions heading into the final leg of the South American event. Latvala climbs to fifth, after a day that was mostly trouble-free, yet not entirely satisfactory for the Finn. Hanninen also moved up the leaderboard, sticking to his plan perfectly, and ends the day in seventh. The challenging conditions continued, but both Yaris WRCs made it to the end.
Latvala and Hanninen in the points on tough first full day of Argentina
Both Toyota Yaris WRCs have got to the end of a challenging full opening day of Rally Argentina, featuring the roughest stages seen so far this year, which caused a number of high-profile retirements. Nonetheless, Jari-Matti Latvala is sixth overall, while Juho Hanninen is also a points-scoring ninth, despite an earlier power loss. Latvala ran in the top three for most of the leg, until a right rear deflation with just two stages to go cost him nearly half a minute.
Toyota makes a solid start to Rally Argentina
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT driver Jari-Matti Latvala was fastest in the shakedown, on his ninth appearance in Argentina, with both Yaris WRC cars also figuring in the top 10 positions on the opening super special stage in Cordoba. However, this was just a taste of the action, with the drivers set to tackle the first full day of tricky stages tomorrow.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing RALLY CHALLENGE DRIVERS RACK UP THE STAGE WINS IN FRANCE
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge driver Takamoto Katsuta, co-driven by Marko Salminen, was unlucky to miss out on a class victory at the Lyon-Charbonnieres?Rhone Rally in France, eventually finishing sixth in the R2 category. His team mate Hiroki Arai also put in a strong performance, concluding the rally eighth in class.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing eyes more progress on gravel return
The gravel stages of Rally Argentina will provide the next challenge for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team with drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hanninen from April 27 to 30. After the asphalt test of Corsica, round five of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) means a return to gravel action and a return to Latin America, where the team will look to build upon the lessons learnt on March’s Rally Mexico and further the development of the Yaris WRC.
Lappi to make World Rally Car debut on Rally de Portugal in TOYOTA GAZOO Racing testing role
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team test driver Esapekka Lappi and his co-driver Janne Ferm will make their first appearances at the top level of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) on Rally de Portugal in May.Lappi will join his team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hanninen in the squad for the May 19-21 event, driving a third Yaris WRC at the start of a limited programme of WRC rounds, which will be selected according to development requirements.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WINS AT SILVERSTONE
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing scored a dramatic victory in the 6 Hours of Silverstone after a thrilling opening round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). In a race defined by several rain showers, the #8 TS050 HYBRID of Sﾃｩbastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima earned victory inside the final 15 minutes in front of 50,200 spectators (weekend figure).
SPEEDY START FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing got its 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season off to a productive start by setting the fastest lap time in the first practice sessions for the opening round, the 6 Hours of Silverstone. Following a five-month break since the concluding round of the 2016 season, Toyota arrived in Great Britain with a heavily-updated TS050 HYBRID to challenge Porsche for the World Championship crown.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing ALL SET FOR SILVERSTONE
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing begins its challenge for the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with a new car and revised driver line-up for the season-opening 6 Hours of Silverstone this weekend. A heavily-modified TS050 HYBRID, featuring upgraded hybrid powertrain plus mechanical and aerodynamic updates, will make its competitive debut in the first of nine endurance races which will decide the 2017 championship.
TOYOTA WEC PROMOTION VIDEOS Why Hybrid?
To explore why TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is dedicated to competing in WEC, this video asks the questions, 'Why do we compete? Why do we race? And why hybrids?' The answer: it all comes down to crafting ever-better hybrid vehicles for people around the world.
LEXUS LC500 Achieves Complete Victory at Debut Race
KeePer TOM'S LC500 No.37 co-piloted by Ryo HIRAKAWA／Nick CASSIDY won victory at the debut race with the all-new Lexus LC500 at the Autobacs Super GT 2017 series at Okayama International Circuit. LEXUS LC500 swept the podium and monopolized rank#1 through #6 at the debut race.
Latvala finishes just off podium and maintains second in championship
An unbelievably close finish on the Tour de Corse meant that Jari-Matti Latvala won the Power Stage and secured fourth place on the rally ? by the incredible margin of 0.1 seconds, after 316.80 competitive kilometres! The Finn slipped to fifth after the first stage of the day, which was the longest of the rally, but then fought back in style.
Latvala and Hanninen climb the leaderboard with improved Yaris WRC
After a challenging second day in Corsica, on tighter, more twisty and narrower roads than those seen yesterday, both Toyota Yaris WRC drivers made big step forwards after changing the set-up of the car. Both showed themselves capable of setting top-two stage times on only the first pure asphalt event for the brand-new Yaris WRC.
Consistency is key for Latvala on first full day of Corsica
A consistent performance from Jari-Matti Latvala on the opening day of stages has netted him sixth overnight, with two days of the rally still to go. The Finn steered clear of trouble and secured seventh, fifth, sixth and fifth fastest times on the four stages that were run today, consisting of two loops of two stages with no service in between.
Toyota drivers prepare to tame Corsican asphalt
The shakedown stage close to Bastia was an opportunity for the drivers to test out their cars prior to the rally start, checking that all the systems were working and carrying out any tweaks needed to the asphalt set-up. With the shakedown successfully completed, the mechanics will now prepare the cars for tonight’s ceremonial start in Ajaccio.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge drivers show their speed in Sanremo
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge drivers Takamoto Katsuta and Hiroki Arai contested the second of two Italian asphalt rallies on their program last weekend: the legendary Rallye Sanremo in Italy. Having completed the Rally Il Ciocco two weeks earlier, the Japanese drivers aimed to capitalise on their prior experience in order to further improve their driving on asphalt. With both drivers finishing the rally and setting competitive times on their Sanremo debut, it was mission accomplished.
PRODUCTIVE PROLOGUE FOR TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing revealed today the updated TS050 HYBRID race car which will carry its hopes in the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The team brought two updated TS050 HYBRIDs to Monza for the public launch of the car on Friday followed by two days of testing in the presence of all other WEC competitors.
Twists and turns of Corsica up next for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team and its drivers, Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hanninen head to the island of Corsica for round four of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) from April 6 to 9. The classic Tour de Corse is France’s round of the WRC and the first pure asphalt event of the season, following the ice-coated roads of Monte-Carlo, snow of Sweden and gravel of Mexico. Learning and developing the Yaris WRC remains the clear priority in the first season of Toyota’s WRC return, despite an extremely positive start with the team currently second in both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ standings.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing INSPIRED TO WIN IN 2017
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing revealed today the updated TS050 HYBRID race car which will carry its hopes in the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Monza in northern Italy hosted the first public appearance of the new car, presented alongside team management and the drivers of the three TS050 HYBRIDs which will compete this season.
TOYOTA WEC PROMOTION VIDEOS
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will compete with the TS050 HYBRID in the 2017 season of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the pinnacle of global endurance racing. Featuring leading-edge hybrid technologies, the TS050 HYBRID is Toyota's platform for pushing man and machine to the limit with the ultimate goal of developing the hybrid vehicles of the future.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing COMPLETES DRIVER LINE-UP
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing can confirm its full driver line-up for the 2017 season, with Yuji Kunimoto and Nicolas Lapierre joining the team for races at Spa-Francorchamps and Le Mans. Yuji and Nicolas will line-up in the #9 TS050 HYBRID alongside lead driver Stephane Sarrazin in the second and third races of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing RALLY CHALLENGE PROGRAM DRIVERS COMPETE ON ITALIAN ASPHALT WITH R2 CAR TO CONTINUE THEIR LEARNING CURVE
After a series of snow rallies to start the year, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program drivers Takamoto Katsuta and Hiroki Arai have embarked on a pair of rallies on Italian asphalt, beginning with the Rally Il Ciocco last weekend: the opening round of the Italian Rally Championship.
JAPANESE CO-DRIVER SAYAKA ADACHI FINISHES ON PODIUM AFTER HER ‘TOUGHEST RALLY YET’
Japanese co-driver Sayaka Adachi has finished on the podium of the Tahko SM-Ralli in Finland: round three of the Finnish Rally Championship that she is contesting alongside Jarkko Nikara this year as part of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program. She described it as “the hardest rally I have done in Finland yet”, due to the fast and narrow snow-covered roads, with plenty of junctions. Nonetheless the duo secured a third-place finish with no major problems, to consolidate their third place in the championship.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT crews overcome the challenge of Mexico for a double haul of points
After four days of the toughest action it has faced this year, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT has secured a points finish with both crews in the top 10 for the first time, who headed into the final day separated by just 0.3 seconds. Mexico combined the challenge of both heat and altitude, meaning that the team had to overcome the same overheating problems that affected most of the field on Friday. Each driver faced their own additional difficulties: Jari-Matti Latvala ran first on the road to sweep it clean for everyone else during the first day of proper stages, while Juho Hanninen was unwell throughout the event. At the end of the rally, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is still runner-up in the manufacturers’ championship, while Latvala is second in the drivers’ standings and Hanninen is 11th.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT crews make progress on another tough day in Mexico
Following a tricky start to the rally for everybody on Friday, Saturday was much more straightforward, with all the scheduled stages completed. Both TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT crews took advantage of the longest day of competitive action to end up separated by just 0.3 seconds in sixth and seventh places. The team’s engineers resolved the overheating issues encountered yesterday, allowing the drivers to push harder, although ambient conditions were also cooler today. As a result, Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hanninen enjoyed perfect reliability and are in a position to both score driver points.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT drivers in top eight after a challenging opening day in Mexico
Rally Mexico presented a challenging opening day for all the competitors, with the first two proper stages cancelled following a delay in getting the cars back from Mexico City after last night’s city stage in the capital. Consequently, it wasn’t until late afternoon that the crews saw some action, with five stages run instead of the scheduled seven. After last night’s rain, conditions today were dry and hot during the day 窶? with some rain only in the evening.
Hanninen leads in the city as Rally Mexico gets underway
For the first time in the event’s 12-year world championship history, Rally Mexico started with a super special stage in the capital of Mexico City on Thursday evening. And it was Juho Hanninen who emerged in the lead after two runs over a specially-constructed 1.57-kilometre course: the CDMX Street Stage Presented by Michelin. Unusually for Mexico City, there was a big rain storm just before the start of the stage: adding to the challenge and reducing the amount of grip available. The rain continued for the first few competitors on the stage, before easing off for the others.
Toyota drivers ready for the start of their toughest rally yet
Rally Mexico is the furthest away from home that the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team has travelled so far, and also the toughest challenge they face yet. Before the first of 19 special stages in Mexico City tomorrow, both cars completed the 5.31-kilometre shakedown test close to the rally base in Leon today. After their first taste of the high temperatures and rough rocks that will characterise the rally for the next four days, the drivers and cars are now ready for the mammoth task that lies ahead.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing ready for Mexico’s testing gravel roads
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team and its drivers, Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hanninen, will turn to the gravel of Rally Mexico from March 9 to 12. After Latvala and his co-driver Miikka Anttilla delivered the first victory for Toyota in the FIA World Rally Championship since 1999 last time out on Rally Sweden, the team is in an upbeat mood as it looks to build on a positive opening to the debut season for the Toyota Yaris WRC. However, as Mexico offers a third different challenge in as many events, learning and car development will continue to be the priority.
Adachi takes another strong finish with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program on the SM Vaakuna-Ralli
February 20, 2017. Japanese co-driver Sayaka Adachi continued her learning through the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program at the SM Vaakuna-Ralli, February 17.-18., the second round of the Finnish Rally Championship. Following their first event together on the Arctic Lapland Rally in January, Sayaka was once again sitting alongside Finnish driver Jarkko Nikara in a Subaru Impreza WRX. The SM Vaakuna-Ralli was based in Mikkeli in the south east of Finland, and provided the crews with more challenging snow and ice-covered roads.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program drivers continue their learning curve on snow at WRC Rally Sweden
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program drivers Takamoto Katsuta and Hiroki Arai faced only the second world championship rally of their young careers over the weekend, on the highly-specialised snow of Rally Sweden. The four-day event, taking in 18 stages and 331.74 competitive kilometres, provided the young Japanese drivers with a chance not only to practise their driving skills and pacenotes, but also to acclimatise to the fatigue and concentration needed to master a top-level world event.
Latvala wins Rally Sweden and leads championship
For the first time since Rally China in 1999, Toyota has won a round of the FIA World Rally Championship: on only the second event for the all-new Yaris WRC. Jari-Matti Latvala inherited the lead after yesterday’s super special stage, when the former leader broke his steering. Latvala then won all three stages today to extend his advantage and claim the first rally win for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team. Juho Hanninen had a trouble-free day and scored more manufacturer points, meaning that TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is now second in the manufacturers’ championship, while Latvala heads the drivers’ standings, having sealed his 17th career win, his fourth in Sweden, and his first since Mexico 2016. In total, Jari-Matti won six stages: SS1, SS4, SS13, SS16, SS17 and SS18.
Latvala in first place with one day of Rally Sweden remaining
With just one day, three stages and 58 kilometres of Rally Sweden left to go, Jari-Matti Latvala is in first place after a problem-free Saturday, having moved into the front on the very last stage after the rally leader broke his steering on the final super special in Karlstad. But Jari-Matti will have a huge fight on his hands tomorrow to keep the position, as he is only 3.8 seconds ahead of his closest rival. Juho Hanninen rejoined under Rally 2 regulations, after hitting a tree yesterday. He made up eight places in six stages, dedicating his day to teamwork by testing new settings on the Yaris WRC.
Latvala runner-up after longest day of Rally Sweden
Jari-Matti Latvala has finished the longest day of Rally Sweden in second place after a strong performance during which the Finn also managed to lead the rally. Juho Hanninen had to retire after SS5, on which he hit a tree with the front of the car, damaging the cooling system. The team will have just three hours to fix his Yaris WRC tonight so that he can re-start tomorrow.
Team and drivers ready for action as Rally Sweden begins!
Rally Sweden got underway this evening on a short 1.9-kilometre spectator super special stage at the Karlstad trotting track, with the Toyota Yaris WRC provisionally leading the rally thanks to a fastest time from Jari-Matti Latvala. Both cars completed the day, which started with shakedown in the morning, with no problems before heading back to parc ferme for the real action tomorrow.
RYO HIRAKAWA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EUROPEAN LE MANS SERIES WITH G-DRIVE RACING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF HIS EUROPEAN TOYOTA YOUNG DRIVERS PROGRAM(TDP)
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is promoting the TDP to train racing drivers who can play an active part in the world and Japanese top category races. The European TDP, which started last year aiming to nurture future WEC drivers, celebrates its second year and has decided to have Ryo Hirakawa (22) participate in the European Le Mans Series with G-Drive Racing.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WINTER WARRIORS SET FOR SNOW AND ICE ACTION IN SWEDEN
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team and its drivers, Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hanninen, are set to take on the high-speed snowy and icy stages of Rally Sweden from February 9 to 12. The team now aims to consolidate its 2017 learning programme and build on its return to FIA World Rally Championship action on Rallye Monte-Carlo last month, where Latvala and his co-driver Miikka Anttilla guided their Toyota Yaris WRC to an unexpected second place. With Toyota’s commitment to the WRC for the long term, car development and team progression remain the priority this season as opposed to rapid stage performances.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing CONFIRMS 2017 WEC PLANS
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing can confirm an expanded driver line-up for the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) as part of its three-car entry in selected races. To demonstrate its commitment to endurance racing, and to enhance its chances of victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours, Toyota will enter three TS050 HYBRIDs in the races at Spa-Francorchamps and Le Mans.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Outlines 2017 Motorsports Activities
Toyota City, Japan, February 2, 2017―Toyota Motor Corporation today announces its TOYOTA GAZOO Racing motorsports activities for 2017.Toyota views motorsports as an important medium to convey the anticipation and excitement of driving. Toyota will strive to carry out activities to refine its people and cars, as well as to expand the car fan base through TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, thereby contributing to the creation of ever-better cars.
Successful start to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program as young Japanese crews complete the Arctic Rally
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program is designed to give up-and-coming young rally stars from Japan a solid learning campaign through a series of varied events on different championships. The first stop of their 14-rally schedule was the famed Arctic Rally in northern Finland, based in Rovaniemi. With a large part of the route within the Arctic Circle, temperatures have been known to dip as low as minus 35 degrees centigrade in the past. On this occasion though, it was just below zero degrees: providing optimal snow conditions for Takamoto Katsuta and Hiroki Arai to continue learning this extremely specialized surface, each driving a Ford Fiesta R5.
LEXUS RC F GT3 REVEALED AT THE TOKYO AUTO SALON 2017 DEBUTS AT THE ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA ON JANUARY 26!
LEXUS RC F GT3, which was revealed by LEXUS GAZOO Racing at the global premier show at Tokyo Auto Salon 2017, will make its debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona starting from January 26 (U.S. time). LEXUS RC F GT3 had its first appearance at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2017 on Friday, January 13 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba prefecture. The vehicle was developed based on the RC F, the automaker's high-performance coupe, specifically to compete in the GT3 category races, a worldwide popular customer racing category. The car has been officially homologated by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
Rallye Monte-Carlo: Day four
Latvala second on Rallye Monte-Carlo as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing makes its debutTOYOTA GAZOO Racing has finished Rallye Monte-Carlo, the oldest and most prestigious round of the FIA World Rally Championship, with a result that has surpassed all expectations on the team’s debut: second overall with Jari-Matti Latvala and Miika Anttilla. Juho Hanninen and Kaj Lindstrom also finished the rally, in 16th place, after rejoining on Saturday. This collective result ensures a double score in the manufacturers’ standings for the brand new Yaris WRC, placing TOYOTA GAZOO Racing second in the championship after only its first event.
Rallye Monte-Carlo: Day three
Latvala third for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing heading into final day of Monte-CarloJari-Matti Latvala completed a dramatic penultimate day of the Rallye Monte-Carlo in an impressive third, with just four stages of the rally now left. Juho Hanninen rejoined the action after going off yesterday and made up seven places to climb to 16th, despite losing time with a puncture on the last stage.
Rallye Monte-Carlo: Day two
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing just off provisional podium in first full day of competitionThe Toyota Yaris WRC faced its first full day of action, which was the longest competitive day of the Rallye Monte-Carlo with six stages totalling 160.80 kilometres. Jari-Matti Latvala finishes the day just one place off the provisional podium, in fourth overall. After setting an extremely encouraging pace in the morning, Juho Hanninen slid off the road on the final stage before midday service. He will rejoin the rally tomorrow.
Rallye Monte-Carlo: Day one
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing sets top-three time on first day of Rallye Monte-CarloAn encouraging start for the Toyota Yaris WRC on Rallye Monte-Carlo, with Juho Hanninen setting a third-fastest stage time on Thursday night. Both of the new Toyota Yaris WRC cars ran reliably throughout the first evening of the event, which consisted of just one stage run competitively after the opening stage was cancelled due to an accident involving a spectator, who sadly passed away. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing sends its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victim.
Rallye Monte-Carlo: Shakedown
Toyota drivers ready for action after successful shakedownA historic day for the Toyota Yaris WRC, which had its very first outing against the clock at shakedown for Rallye Monte-Carlo. However, the short 3.35-kilometre stage is just a final systems check before the real action starts tomorrow, with all the drivers looking after their cars to keep them in perfect condition for the rally..
We have lift-off!
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing set for Monte magicJanuary 13th, 2017 - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has completed its testing program ahead of its long-awaited return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) after a break of 17 years and is ready for the legendary Rallye Monte-Carlo. The event takes place from January 19th-22nd on tricky mountain roads when conditions can vary between dry asphalt, ice and snow.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program expands Sayaka Adachi to co-drive Jarkko Nikara in Finnish Rally Championship
Japanese co-driver Sayaka Adachi will contest the Finnish Rally Championship as a part of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge Program was established to support young Japanese rallying talents to be global level drivers. With cooperation with Tommi Makinen Racing, the program has been helping two drivers develop themselves.