Toyota Racing: Le Mans 24 Hours update 1

Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Team President, statement following the fatal accident suffered by #95 Aston Martin driver Allan Simonsen: “This is extremely sad news and we send our sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Allan Simonsen. Our thoughts are with them at this terrible time.”

#8 Toyota Racing Toyota TS030 Hybrid: Anthony Davidson, Stéphane Sarrazin, Sebastien Buemi

Photo by: James M. Holland

Early in his second stint Nicolas dropped to fifth, while on his second stop, he took on intermediate tyres.

The #7 lost time due to a loss of fuel pressure, which quickly rectified itself and Nicolas was able to resume lapping at normal speed, in fifth, as drizzle continued.

Nicolas Lapierre: “The track hasn’t been really dry since the beginning of the race; the track conditions changed from one lap to another. We seemed quite competitive. The race will be tough, the weather will be difficult to predict but the pace seems okay and fuel consumption is quite good. But it’s going to be a long race.”

TS030 HYBRID #8 (Anthony Davidson, Sébastien Buemi, Stéphane Sarrazin - Grid: 4th): Anthony started the race and took fourth place on the opening lap before battling fiercely for third place. He emerged from his first pit stop in fifth but overtook the other TS030 HYBRID for fourth soon after. Anthony stayed on the same dry tyres through his four pit stops, holding fourth place.

Anthony Davidson: “The crazy weather has continued and has been making everyone’s job difficult. I was trying my best to keep the car on the track at a good pace. That was some of the hardest driving I have had to do; slicks in the rain is tough but you have to balance that with the time you lose in the pit stop.”

Toyota Racing