Toyota driver Nyck de Vries is determined to avenge his close loss to Ferrari at last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking his 93rd attempt at the iconic race. Alongside teammates Jose Maria Lopez and Kamui Kobayashi, de Vries finished second in the #7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid, just over 14 seconds behind the winning #50 Ferrari 499P driven by Nicklas Nielsen, Miguel Molina, and Antonio Fuoco.
Their sister car, the #8 Toyota, ended up in fifth place after Brendon Hartley was forced into a spin by Alessandro Pier Guidi’s #51 Ferrari near the race’s conclusion. Toyota secured their last Le Mans victory in 2022, but with several new hypercar manufacturers entering the competition, the field has become even more challenging. Still, de Vries remains hopeful that Toyota can clinch a sixth Le Mans win for the team.
Reflecting on Le Mans, de Vries emphasized the race’s rich history and significance, noting how difficult it is to win and why the event is so revered. While last year’s second place was a solid achievement, he admitted feeling a mix of emotions, including bitterness, fueling his desire to succeed this year.
This season, Toyota has faced challenges in qualifying, similar to their 2024 title rival Porsche. However, their strong operational performance has kept them consistently in the top five throughout the early rounds of the World Endurance Championship. Brendon Hartley believes this consistency will serve Toyota well at Le Mans next week, especially as the team celebrates 40 years since their debut at La Sarthe in 1985.
Hartley expressed excitement for the race, highlighting Toyota’s readiness and his own commitment to racing for victory after working hard since last year’s event. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but praised the team’s effort in extracting maximum performance from their car during the initial races of the season.
Fan Take: This build-up to Le Mans highlights the fierce competition brewing between Toyota and Ferrari, promising an electrifying showdown for endurance racing fans. Toyota’s drive to reclaim victory not only fuels intense rivalry but also pushes technological and team performance boundaries, elevating the sport’s excitement and prestige.
