24h Le Mans
Toyota’s debut in international motor racing goes back to the middle of the 1970s. Toyota Gazoo Racing based in Cologne looks after the brand’s sporting activities. It is also in charge of the creation of exceptional road-going cars inspired by the technology used on the track.
In addition to numerous successes in rallies (four world titles) and seven years in Formula 1 (2002-2009) the 24 Hours of Le Mans occupy a very special place in Toyota’s racing history.
Toyota’s involvement in the Sarthe began in the middle of the eighties first of all with partner teams like Tom’s, Dome and SARD. After 13 years presence in the 24 Hours from 1985 to 1999, Toyota devoted itself to Formula 1 before returning to the Sarthe in 2012 and it has not missed a race since.
Toyota’s first appearance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with two prototype 85 Cs at the start. Japanese trio Kaoru Hoshino-Masanori Sekiya-Satoru Nakajima finished twelfth.
Toyota scores its first top-10 finish thanks to Geoff Lees-Hitoshi Ogawa-Masanori Sekiya who came home sixth.
After giving 1991 a miss Toyota was back in the 24 Hours and clinched its first podium thanks to Kenny Acheson-Pierre-Henri Raphanel-Masanori Sekiya’s second place. That year Steven Andskar-George Fouche and Stefan Johansson also finished fifth.
Four Toyotas finished in the top 10: Eddie Irvine-Masanori Sekiya-Toshio Suzuki (4th), Mauro Martini-Naoki Nagasaka-Roland Ratzenberger (5th), Steven Andskar-Eje Elgh-George Fouche (6th) and Juan-Manuel Fangio II-Jan Lammers-Geoff Lees (8th).
Eddie Irvine-Jeff Krosnoff-Mauro Martini who finished second came within a hair’s breadth of winning. Steven Andskar-George Fouche-Bob Wollek finished fourth.
Toyota moved into the GT category with the Supra LM: best result 14th by Marco Apicella-Jeff Krosnoff-Mauro Martini in 1995.
Toyota returned to Le Mans with the TS020 also called the GT-One. Designed by French engineer André de Cortanze it fought for victory with Porsche. In 1999, Martin Brundle clinched Toyota’s first pole position at Le Mans in the GT-One. That year Ukyo Katayama-Toshio Suzuki-Keiichi Tsuchiya finished second, the best–ever result by a Japanese crew in the 24 Hours.
After a 13-year hiatus Toyota made its Le Mans comeback. Its prototypes used hybrid technology, a domain in which the Japanese manufacturer is the world leader in road-going cars.
Toyota scored two podiums (2nd in 2013, 3rd in 2014) while in 2014 Kazuki Nakajima became the first Japanese driver to set pole in the 24 Hours.
The no. 5 Toyota in the lead was forced to retire just minutes before the finish. .
Kamui Kobayashi set a new outright lap record for the circuit when he clinched pole position in 3m 14.791s, a speed of 251,882 km/h.
Toyota scored its first two outright victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima joined by double F1 world champion, Fernando Alonso, at the wheel of the no. 8 TS050 Hybrid. In 2019, Mike Conway set a new race lap record in no. 7 in 3m 17.197s, an average speed of 248,6 km/h.
Third consecutive victory for Toyota as well as for Buemi and Nakajima associated with New Zealander, Brendon Hartley. Thanks to this win the Japanese manufacturer was able to keep the 24 Hours of Le Mans Trophy, a privilege reserved for teams having won the race three years running.
The temporary exhibition is open now and runs until 20 February 2022.
Head to Musée des 24 Heures du Mans to find out more.
