Toyota Gazoo Racing
| Seasons | 2016-2020 |
|---|---|
| Team | Toyota Gazoo Racing |
| Brand | Toyota TS050 Hybrid (n°8) |
| Category | LMP1-H (Le Mans Prototype 1 - Hybrid) |
The Toyota TS050 Hybrid has written its name into the annals of motor racing history with an impressive track record, winning the Le Mans 24 Hours three times in a row and bringing home the World Endurance Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championship in both 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.
From its debut in 2016 until its final race in 2020, this LMP1 sports prototype has won 19 races, secured 16 pole positions and set the fastest lap times on 15 instances. The TS050 Hybrid also holds the lap record at Le Mans with a time of 3:14.791 minutes set by Kamui Kobayashi during the 2017 qualifying.
The TS050 Hybrid was replaced for the 2021 season due to a significant rule change in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The series has undergone a substantial overhaul, leading to the phasing out of LMP1 prototype vehicles like the Toyota TS050 Hybrid. In their place, a new class called “Le Mans Hypercars” (LMH) has been introduced.
Swiss driver Sébastien Buemi has established himself as an iconic figure, winning the FIA WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in the last decade. This remarkable achievement confirms his status as the most successful Swiss racing driver, both in his home country and in the World Endurance Championship.