Toyota Gazoo Racing will return to its high-downforce setup on its pair of TS050 Hybrids as the FIA World Endurance Championship returns this weekend at the Nürburgring.
After the heartbreak of last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Japanese manufacturer is aiming to bounce back in Germany and make it three wins out of the opening four events in the 2017 championship after taking the victories at both Silverstone and Spa earlier this year.
José María López returns to the #7 car alongside Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi after the defending FIA World Touring Car Champion moved across to the teams extra #9 car for Le Mans.
The #8 sees an unchanged line up with Anthony Davidson, Kazuki Nakajima and Sébastien Buemi set to challenge for win number three in 2017.
Formula E leader Buemi continues in the Toyota rather than competing in the New York ePrix, where Pierre Gasly is set to replace him in the e.dams Renault.
Toyota go into the 6 hour race this weekend 32.5 points behind LMP1 rivals Porsche in the manufacturer championship, while the trio in #8 lie in second in the drivers’ standings after retiring from Le Mans.
Lopez, who is only making his fourth WEC start this weekend, said on the upcoming race: “It’s good to be driving alongside Mike and Kamui again; I hope we can stand on the podium together for the first time.”
“I have been learning WEC step by step so far this season and I feel like I’ve made really good progress so I can’t wait to race again at the Nürburgring.”
While Davidson who is driving the #8 car commented: “The target for us now is clearly the World Championship. We are a little behind after Le Mans but there are six races left so we have a good chance and our car is clearly quick as we have shown already.”
Photo Credit: @www.toyota-motorsport-photos.com
Toyota will be hoping to improve on the team’s performances over the last two years at the German track, where they’ve only achieved a best of fifth place in both 2015 and 2016.
Round four of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship takes place at the Nürburgring in Germany this weekend between July 14-16.
