WEC

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing targeting further success at historic Spa

Motorsport Technology
03 May 2022
3 min read

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team, partnered by Acronis, will be hoping to once again stand on the top step of the podium when the second round of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship gets underway at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

The famous circuit located in the picturesque and often rainy Ardennes represents a happy hunting ground for the team, who are aiming for an astonishing sixth consecutive victory in Belgium this weekend.

Interestingly, WEC will be the first major series to race at Spa since parts of the 7.004km circuit were modified to enhance safety, including prominent changes to the famous Eau Rouge and Raidillon section of track.

“We worked on some things for Spa as well, which should suit our car better than Sebring, where the bumps had a big impact on car balance and performance,” commented Kamui Kobayashi , Team Principal and driver of car #7.

“So we expect to be fighting at the front and everyone is fully committed to get our first win of the season. We have waited since Le Mans last year to meet our fans in Europe again so it will be a special week. The fans in Spa are always very enthusiastic and give us a lot of support; thank you in advance for cheering us on.”

Although Kobayashi, José María López and Mike Conway failed to finish in Sebring after a frightening crash involving the British driver, Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa came home in second place and will be looking to go one better min Spa.

“I always enjoy going to Spa as it is probably my favourite circuit,” added Buemi. “It’s a pleasure to drive a race car at this track, and I have been fortunate enough to have won five times at Spa so it’s a good track for me in that respect too.

“Our podium in Sebring wasn’t a bad way to start the season but the gap to the front was too big. I hope the balance of performance will be kinder to us in Spa, which is more like a typical WEC circuit and I hope it will suit our GR010 HYBRID better.”

For Hirakawa, Spa will represent only his second race in the WEC but on a circuit that he is far more familiar with.

“I am looking forward to racing again at Spa, which is a fantastic circuit. Sebring went well for me and it was satisfying to start my WEC career with a podium,” added the Japanese. “Sebring was a new track for me so there was a lot to learn.

“But I know Spa pretty well so that should be an advantage compared to the last race, and I had some positive results there in the past which gives me confidence. It will be exciting to drive the GR010 HYBRID there for the first time; I cannot wait to get started.”

Acronis are proud to be the official Artificial Intelligence Partner of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team, helping the team perform to the best of their capabilities through machine learning. To find out more, please visit https://www.acronis.com/en-us/lp/msp-sports/

 

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