Toyota commits to WEC Hypercar rules from 2020-21

Toyota has confirmed it will continue to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship upon the introduction of the new Hypercar-based top class in the 2020-21 season.

Toyota is currently the only manufacturer racing in LMP1, the top category in both the WEC and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with its existing TS050 Hybrid car set to be retired after the ’19-20 campaign.

Following confirmation of the new Hypercar-led top category for ’20-21 on Friday at Le Mans, Toyota announced it would be entering the new class and continuing in the WEC.

“Toyota Gazoo Racing will continue its participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) beyond 2020 following the confirmation of new technical regulations,” the statement reads.

“The team already announced its participation in the 2019-2020 season, the final campaign with the current-specification LMP1 regulations, and today confirms it will be present on the grid when the new generation of top-class endurance race cars make their WEC debut in autumn 2020.”

Toyota will build a hybrid-powered prototype car based on the GR Super Sport road car, both of which are undergoing deisgn and development.

Confirmation of Toyota’s involvement ensures a return to multi-manufacturer competition in the top class at Le Mans, with Aston Martin having announced its plans to enter its Valkyrie Hypercar to the class earlier today.

“Toyota Gazoo Racing enthusiastically welcomes the future challenge of competing against other sportscar manufacturers in the new top category of WEC and the Le Mans 24 Hours and is confident in an exciting, successful period for endurance racing,” the statement adds.

“Track testing of the new race car, the name of which will be revealed at a later date, will begin next year prior to the start of the 2020-2021 season while further details of the GR Super Sport road car will be issued by Toyota Gazoo Racing in due course.”

Shigeki Tomoyama, Gazoo Racing Company president, said: “I am pleased to confirm that Toyota Gazoo Racing will continue its challenge in endurance racing beyond the current regulations.

“Thank you to the ACO and FIA for their hard work in finalising these regulations, which we hope will bring about a new golden age of endurance racing, with several manufacturers fighting for Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

“For Toyota Gazoo Racing, this new era of competition is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate our credentials not only as a race team against some of the best in the business, but also as a sports car manufacturer.

“I am sure I join fans and competitors in welcoming the new regulations and looking forward to an exciting era of competition in WEC and at Le Mans.”