Breaking news
WEC 24 Hours of Le Mans
Kobayashi "disappointed" to miss new Le Mans record
Toyota's Kamui Kobayashi admits he feels "a little bit disappointed" at missing out on breaking his Le Mans 24 Hours lap record from three years ago in the final year of the current-generation LMP1s.
Jamie Klein
Edited: Sep 18, 2020, 1:53 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Kobayashi claimed Toyota's fourth consecutive pole position for the French endurance classic in Friday's first-ever 'Hyperpole' qualifying session, which gave the fastest six cars from Thursday's first qualifying session their own shootout.
That meant traffic was much less of an issue than it traditionally has been during qualifying, potentially putting Kobayashi's 3m14.791s record from 2017 within reach.
The ex-Formula 1 racer posted a 3m15.267s this time around to secure the top spot for the #7 Toyota TS050 Hybrid, just over half a second up on the second-placed Rebellion R-13.
Read Also:
But Kobayashi was up on that benchmark by six tenths at the end of the second sector and looked on course to break his own record, until he backed off after being informed of a track limits violation at Tertre Rouge that invalidated the lap.
"To be honest, [I feel] a little bit disappointed because on my second attempt it seemed I could break my record," said Kobayashi afterwards.
"I think the car seemed good, track conditions were good with the Hyperpole, we were more confident with the traffic situation, we were focussed on the performance. Usually we are only looking for the timing when we leave [the pits] with the traffic situation but this time we focussed more on the performance of the car.
"I think we did the right move but unfortunately, I had the lap deleted, so I had to stop. I was gaining already seven tenths, which is already breaking the record, so it’s a big shame.
"But this is how it is. The team did a really great job, I was pretty confident in the car, and with this Hyperpole as a driver it’s a great opportunity to drive the [circuit] without traffic. It’s a fantastic feeling for me."
#7 Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota TS050: Kamui Kobayashi
Photo by: Rainier Ehrhardt
WEC points leaders Kobayashi, Jose Maria Lopez and Mike Conway are still seeking their first Le Mans triumph, having missed out to the sister Toyota crew of Kazuki Nakajima, Sebastien Buemi and Fernando Alonso for the past two years.
Kobayashi is hoping the momentum the #7 crew is carrying from their win in the previous round of the series at Spa last month will translate into success this weekend.
"From what happened last year we are definitely hungry to finally win," said the Japanese driver. "We were always pretty quick here, but somehow we never won.
"The same thing was happening at Spa, but this year we managed to win at Spa, so I think this year could be different and we’ll try our best. I think Le Mans is always something special, even if you have one of the best cars [sometimes] you still can’t win.
"This is the story of the 24 Hours, but it’s always important to push and do your best."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Toyota: LMP1/LMH parity would "not be correct"
Next article Rebellion's Menezes "really surprised" to split Toyotas
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
1 mo
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
1 mo
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Kamui Kobayashi
WEC title showdown: How Toyota’s two crews can win the crown at Monza
WEC
WEC
Monza
8 d
WEC title showdown: How Toyota’s two crews can win the crown at Monza
Toyota drivers predict faster lap times and “plenty of fighting” ahead at Le Mans
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Jun 7, 2025
Toyota drivers predict faster lap times and “plenty of fighting” ahead at Le Mans
Kobayashi to return to WTR for Daytona Cadillac attack
IMSA
IMSA Oct 23, 2024
Kobayashi to return to WTR for Daytona Cadillac attack
More from
Toyota Gazoo Racing WEC
Toyota slams “stupid games” by competitors in Le Mans pre-test
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
5 mo
Toyota slams “stupid games” by competitors in Le Mans pre-test
The winners and losers from the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Jun 16, 2025
The winners and losers from the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours
Vasselon appointed to new role as Toyota prepares for hydrogen Le Mans entry
WEC
WEC Feb 22, 2024
Vasselon appointed to new role as Toyota prepares for hydrogen Le Mans entry
Latest news
Sebastien Bourdais hopes latest WEC success will remind teams of his value
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
59 min
Sebastien Bourdais hopes latest WEC success will remind teams of his value
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 h
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
3 h
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe