WEC: Can Toyota make it 7 consecutive poles at Le Mans?

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing remains on target to challenge for a record-setting seventh consecutive Le Mans 24 Hours pole position after the first official day of track action for the centenary anniversary edition of the legendary French race.

The team is unbeaten in qualifying at La Sarthe since 2017, sharing the record for consecutive poles with Porsche. Both GR010 HYBRIDs qualified for Thursday’s Hyperpole contest, when the fastest eight cars from each class will fight for pole position, to keep hopes of a new record firmly alive.

Kamui Kobayashi, who can equal Jacky Ickx’s mark of five Le Mans pole positions, comfortably reached Hyperpole, setting the third-fastest time in the #7 GR010 HYBRID he shares with Mike Conway and José María López. His lap of 3mins 25.485secs was just 0.272secs behind the pace-setting #50 Ferrari.

Last year’s winners Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa will also be in the hunt for pole position on Thursday in their #8 GR010 HYBRID. Brendon, who took pole last year, was at the wheel for qualifying and set the fourth-quickest time.

After race officials neutered the Toyotas with a Balance of Power adjustment of 81 additional pounds, the Japanese squad has their work cut out for them.

“It has been a busy first day of practice and the cars have both run without problems, which is positive,” said Kamui Kobayashi.

“As well as improving the balance for the race, our target today was to get both cars into Hyperpole so we can fight for pole position. It was not easy, but we made it through.

“To be honest it looks like it will be tough for us to get pole position; I am not sure we are quick enough right now. We are making progress step by step through the practice sessions, so will keep working hard and fighting to improve.”

Action resumes on Thursday afternoon with a three-hour practice session from 3pm CEST, before the grid-deciding Hyperpole contest at 8pm. A final one-hour practice at 10pm represents the last track action before race day.