Toyota WEC Team Eyes Satellite Car Entry, Possibly Following Ferrari’s Lead
In a significant development, Toyota has revealed its interest in running a third car on a satellite basis in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), mirroring its arch-rival Ferrari’s approach. However, WEC race director Rob Leupen has clarified that introducing an additional full-season entry in the Hypercar class before 2026 is unlikely.
Speaking to Autosport, Leupen expressed admiration for Ferrari’s customer or satellite car strategy, stating, “> We see what Ferrari is doing with its customer or satellite car, and we like that.”This move would provide Toyota with more possibilities, and the manufacturer is currently reviewing the option.
However, Leupen emphasized that the lead time required to build an additional car and set up the necessary infrastructure would make it impossible to introduce a third GR010 in the WEC for the 2025 season. “If we were going to do it next year, we would have had to have made the decision already, and at the moment, nothing is decided,” he explained.
Toyota’s preferred approach would be to emulate Ferrari’s strategy, with the factory AF Corse team running an additional 499P LMH on a customer basis. Leupen noted, “> We are not at the stage yet where we say this is how we want to do it, but if you ask me, the way Ferrari does it, I like that.”
Running a four-wheel-drive LMH would make it challenging to follow Porsche’s path of selling its 963 LMDh to privateer teams. An additional Toyota would compete in the World Cup for Teams, alongside the extra AF Ferrari and the Jota and Proton Competition Porsches.
The question remains whether there would be room for an additional Toyota in the WEC grid, which is set to expand to 40 cars next year. With manufacturers likely to be required to run two cars, and the arrival of new entrants like Aston Martin, the grid may become oversubscribed. Leupen countered, “> How many cars does Porsche run? How many cars does Ferrari run? So why should we not run three?”
In related news, Leupen mentioned that there could be an overlap between the GR010 LMH and the hydrogen combustion prototype Toyota is developing, revealed at last year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. The new hydrogen class is not expected to debut in the WEC until at least 2027.
As the WEC 2024 calendar takes shape, Toyota’s potential expansion plans are likely to be closely watched by fans and rivals alike. With the 2023 WEC season already underway, the Japanese manufacturer’s strategy could have significant implications for the championship’s future.
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