[WEC] Toyota Hypercar Discussion

[hondafan37]

An Argentine rumor site says that Pechito Lopez will continue with Toyota but in LMGT3, Nick de Vries will take his place in Hypercar.
https://visionauto.com.ar/contrato-f...toyota-de-gt3/

[Hawkwood]

Him being listed to test the Lexus makes a lot of sense then.

[TF110]

Motorsport.com reported that as well.

Also look forward to the Bahrain rookie test. Hawksworth from Vasser Sullivan is going to be in the Toyota.

[TF110]

Lopez is officially replaced by De Vries. 'Pechito' will drive the RC F GT3 in the WEC next season with Akkodis ASP. Also double Japanese champion (gt500/super formula) Ritomo is new reserve driver. He'll be in F2 and ELMS

[TF110]

New livery for Toyota next year, Matt Black
https://twitter.com/TOYOTA_GR/status...TXRYAVAAg&s=19

[Akrapovic]

Significant improvement.

[kdr]

Loving the Toyota's new Audi tribute livery...

[hondafan37]

I don't like the place they located the GR, the R is almost not visible through the wheel hole, the GR should have been located further forward. The Rally Yaris looks much better with this livery.

[Adam43]

There is only one thing to say. The Penske Porsche livery is better.

[veeten]

Originally Posted by Adam43

There is only one thing to say. The Penske Porsche livery is better.

As my sister would say, " you funny..."

[TF110]

Originally Posted by kdr

Loving the Toyota's new Audi tribute livery...

Audi should have ran it instead of leaving it as a test-only livery. I think the black hides a lot of ugly (imo) characteristics of the GR010.

Originally Posted by hondafan37

I don't like the place they located the GR, the R is almost not visible through the wheel hole, the GR should have been located further forward. The Rally Yaris looks much better with this livery.

And then the reverse is true on the other side of the car with the G disappearing

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by TF110

I think the black hides a lot of ugly (imo) characteristics of the GR010.

It does, and as a result the car will look sleeker despite it (most likely) having more aero surfaces than last year.

It's not particularly adventurous, but it's a stark improvement.

[E.B]

It is certainly better than last year but that doesn't make it good. To say it is ordinary is to me over complimentary.

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by Adam43

There is only one thing to say. The Penske Porsche livery is better.

Thank you. That's something that should be repeated every time so people don't forget how great Penske colors are

Originally Posted by J Jay

despite it (most likely) having more aero surfaces than last year

How so? They did more updates for 2024? For 2023 aero was revised but I didn't read anything about 2024 potential changes.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by tomcug

For 2023 aero was revised but I didn't read anything about 2024 potential changes.

I mean... I get that major developments aren't going to be a thing every year, but I wouldn't expect them to stand still now.


Anyway.. love the new look. Simplisitic, but damn isn't it menacing. Just needs a cherry blossom graphic on the engine cover.


Someone on reddit said they are entering their W11 phase

[joeb]

Most brilliant quote about it is from Toyoda himself:

“Up to now, we have been using red and white as these are the colors of the Japanese flag,” said Toyoda. “But something I’ve noticed when I have not been there in person and been watching on TV, is that there are a lot of red-and-white cars.

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by Matador

but I wouldn't expect them to stand still now

Depends how many jokers left and cost of next upgrade

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by TF110

Audi should have ran it instead of leaving it as a test-only livery. I think the black hides a lot of ugly (imo) characteristics of the GR010.

Totally agree. This isn't the best looking car, but it is an excellent livery to improve it.

[DistortedSmile]

Originally Posted by joeb

Most brilliant quote about it is from Toyoda himself:

I'm glad someone important finally noticed, even if it's like 10 years later

[FIRE]

Nice livery.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by tomcug

Depends how many jokers left and cost of next upgrade

How much do you think it's worth to them to keep winning championships and LeMans with the current variety of competition?


Yes, they've run the operation on a comparatively "shoe-string" budget for much of this stint in endurance racing and I suppose there has to be a cost-benefit analysis done for major improvements or even a new homologation in this new era of BoP racing. However, let's not forget, while the GR010 is very much a properly honed tool, it's one that was somewhat flawed from the start in being designed to previous versions of the Hypercar ruleset (Thanks Aston Martin!!), just look a the width of the cockpit for example.

[Adam43]

I’m just about to type this sentence a lot in several threads: this is covered well in the latest Racecar Engineering.

Toyota made the change to the smaller front wheels for 2022, but it wasn’t until the developments into the 2023 season that they capitalized on this. They changed the weight distribution (including new gearbox casing and engine materials to achieve this). They worked on the front suspension, fitted an adjustable anti-roll bar (the Ferrari has this, but it came late and was a compromise) and developed the setting for the front dif. All this to match the new tyres. Even after that development of set-up was all about the tyres. And a subtle point that the article made - Toyota are run by a tyre engineer!

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I’m just about to type this sentence a lot in several threads: this is covered well in the latest Racecar Engineering.

Toyota made the change to the smaller front wheels for 2022, but it wasn’t until the developments into the 2023 season that they capitalized on this. They changed the weight distribution (including new gearbox casing and engine materials to achieve this). They worked on the front suspension, fitted an adjustable anti-roll bar (the Ferrari has this, but it came late and was a compromise) and developed the setting for the front dif. All this to match the new tyres. Even after that development of set-up was all about the tyres. And a subtle point that the article made - Toyota are run by a tyre engineer!

Not many people recall Vasselon was a "Michelin Man" Before joining their F1 team. I recall he worked with them in their F1 tire division after he worked with Renault in the 80s.

Thanks for the RC Engineering information, sounds like Toyota did a fair bit of work to get the current GR010 to where it is.

[kvenom]

https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/...aced/10565967/

Big news. Vasselon out as technical director, and David Floury takes over. Vasselon is possibly being transitioned to a new role trying to get a Hydrogen prototype on the grid in 2027

[JoeW04]

Whoever replaces him hopefully they turn down the whinge level a notch.