Toyota Racing and ZF begin technical partnership
The partnership will see TOYOTA Racing implement ZF’s high-performance clutch technology in the TS030 HYBRID race car, starting already in 2013.
The two companies will also work together to investigate other potential performance-enhancing technology, utilizing ZF’s proven track record in endurance racing.
Teams using ZF technology have achieved 13 overall victories in the last 14 years alone at the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours.
Yoshiaki Kinoshita, TOYOTA Racing Team President: “We are very proud to welcome ZF to TOYOTA Racing as a technical partner. ZF’s reputation as a technology supplier in the motorsport world and beyond is second to none so we are delighted to be working together. Endurance racing is very tough on people and equipment so we want to build long-term relationships with other high-technology companies in order to maximize our chances. I know we can rely on ZF to be a trusted partner in our fight to stand on the top step of the podium at Le Mans and to win the FIA World Endurance Championship."
Dr. Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG: “Based on our great experience in endurance racing the new partnership with TOYOTA Racing is the next logical step for us. We already have a very successful business relation with TOYOTA in supplying products and technology for TOYOTA series cars. With the partnership in WEC we are able to point out our prominent competencies as a development partner and technology leader in motorsports. The FIA World Endurance Championship with its worldwide rounds and fascinating races is an ideal platform for this. We are looking forward to many future victories together."
The ZF logo will feature on the TS030 HYBRID, above the door, whilst all six TOYOTA Racing drivers will feature ZF branding on their racing overalls.
The complete WEC schedule is: Silverstone, UK (14 April); Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (4 May); Le Mans, France (22 June); Sao Paulo, Brazil (1 September); Austin, United States (22 September); Fuji, Japan (20 October); Shanghai, China (10 November); Bahrain (30 November).