TOYOTA GAZOO Racing reflect on a dominant 2018

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16 Jan 2019

Category: Articles, Industry News, Press Releases

• DENSO-sponsored TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has now won four of the five WEC races this season
• TS050 Hybrid powertrain featuring DENSO technology has helped Toyota to four 1-2 finishes
• Team heads into the Christmas break with a 28-point Championship lead

The DENSO-sponsored TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team has achieved great success so far in the 2018/19 World Endurance Championship season. The team has taken four 1-2 finishes from five, only being denied a 100% record following the exclusion of both cars at the 6 Hours of Silverstone.

The highlight of the year so far is undoubtedly the dominant victory for the team at the famous Le Mans 24 Hours. Winning the iconic race is always an achievement, but the #7 car completed another 1-2, finishing an astounding ten laps up the road from the next car.

The 6 Hours of Fuji was another high point. In changeable conditions and an exciting race, the team managed to overcome difficulty and record yet another 1-2 finish at the Japanese outfit’s home race.

The championship is tightly contested between the two Toyota cars, and looks to heat up following the extended winter break. Having stretched out a substantial 28-point lead over its closest competitor, the two Toyota driver crews are now separated by just five points.

The #8, driven by returning drivers Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima, alongside F1 legend Fernando Alonso, leads the championship, taking three pole positions and two victories so far.

The #7 team, formed of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López has managed two pole positions and two victories. Having won the last two races, the #7 will be looking to carry momentum into the new year

DENSO’s OE parts have played a pivotal role in the team’s success. DENSO supplies TOYOTA GAZOO Racing with inverters, spark plugs and the rear Motor Generator Units (MGU) that help the TS050 HYBRID achieve the impressive 985bhp that has seen them fly up the championship table.

The next round of the World Endurance Championship is the 1,000 miles of Sebring, taking place on the 15^th March 2019 in the USA. Both Toyota cars will expect a good result, especially given their dominant form to this point.