[WEC] Toyota Hypercar Discussion

[S griffin]

Vasselon has been a big part of Toyota for years. However I'm sure his departure from TD won't affect things too much, as Toyota still have a strong team of people.

[TF110]

Looks like a management shuffle, so lets see where Pascal ends up. I'd be delighted to see him with a hydrogen engine hypercar

[tomcug]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcTK774f8WY
New livery presented, looks good.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by tomcug

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcTK774f8WY
New livery presented, looks good.

I like the black base and the fact that they kept with the corporate black white and red.

[TF110]

I wish they would have made the wheels a metallic red! But I can't complain, the car looks much better in black imo.

[TF110]

An article on endurance-info about the changes to the Toyota. In terms of the car, only the livery is new. But there are big changes behind the scenes.

[PascaLM]

First look at the 2024-spec GR010 HYBRID in testing

[Matador]

Originally Posted by PascaLM

First look at the 2024-spec GR010 HYBRID in testing

Missile.

[Aysedasi]

It looks good. And despite the black, it's nice to see a different livery from them at last - even if I still prefer the blue and white!

[Sodemo]

It looks thicc! (thats what all the kids say yea?)

[TF110]

Definitely prefer the black to the mostly white version.

[S griffin]

The black gives it a cool menacing look. Although I think it could do with a bit more red to give it that Toyota look

[veeten]

Or even better, the red/green scallops of Castrol/Tom's, now that's a great look.

[Matador]

Or just bring back the cherry blossoms on the black background

[Gerard C]

At least they don't use the kerbs that much. Did you the heat dissipating on top of the car? Impressive.

[TF110]

Endurance info has a write up on Toyota optimizing left-side fueling for COTA and Interlagos, the two counter-clockwise tracks on the schedule. Aside from that the only change to the car was the headlights and livery.

[Sodemo]

I gotta say, I love the black livery. If they hadn’t have made that wholesale change I’d have preferred more red in the red white and blue mix but the black change is I think really good. I guess it may also save on a little bit of weight if they don’t have to wrap or paint parts of the car and they can just leave it as bare carbon…?

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I gotta say, I love the black livery. If they hadn’t have made that wholesale change I’d have preferred more red in the red white and blue mix but the black change is I think really good. I guess it may also save on a little bit of weight if they don’t have to wrap or paint parts of the car and they can just leave it as bare carbon…?

Given that their starting weight for Qatar is 49kg above the Hypercar minimum weight it probably doesn't make much difference if the bodywork is wrapped or not.

[Gerard C]

Bodywork wrapping weights almost nothing nowadays. The 49 kilos ballast has been anticipated since a long time I believe.

[veeten]

Evidently, Qatar and late year testing showed that they have a lot of work on their hands.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by veeten

Evidently, Qatar and late year testing showed that they have a lot of work on their hands.

They tested with their ballast in place. So they knew their work was cut out for them. It wasn't only the extra 9kg, but they took a power cut as well. Double whammy

[S griffin]

It was always going to be a struggle. They've done quite well considering the performance handicaps they have. Will be interesting to see what they do from here

[veeten]

Originally Posted by TF110

They tested with their ballast in place. So they knew their work was cut out for them. It wasn't only the extra 9kg, but they took a power cut as well. Double whammy

It was how the tires were wearing, including the tread grainIng, that made them adjust the driving. A surprise to the drivers, mechanics and managers, but they were able to salvage some points out of the race.

Remember, this was the car that practically "ran the table" for two years, until Ferrari won Le Mans. Met any challenge with experience and intelligence. This is just another chapter.

[TF110]

Here's a little story on the future of the GR010 and if it sees a successor or waits until Hydrogen comes into play.

[tomcug]

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...ntry-for-2025/
Another "privateer" car potentially incoming. That's just me but I'd rather see 6th 963 in truly private hands than another fake private car.