Toyota can finally win the 24 Hours of LeMans

Toyota LMP1 Hybrid

Unable to win the 24 Hours of LeMans when they had to beat either Porsche or Audi, now that they are both gone Toyota Gazoo Racing may extend its FIA World Endurance Championship LMP1 Hybrid program that will see it compete in the 2018/19 WEC "Super Season." It would make Toyota the only manufacturer confirmed to compete with hybrid-powered LMP1 cars, after Porsche announced its withdrawal from the WEC earlier this year and Peugeot actively shelved its endurance racing plans to compete in World Rallycross.

A team spokesperson told RACER today that "Toyota is willing to participate in WEC 2018-19, but our commitment will depend on appropriate regulations being confirmed." It's the first public acknowledgment that Toyota has interest in continuing to compete in the WEC with no factory competition.

This statement from the team comes after Shigeki Tomoyama, president of Gazoo Racing Company (the WEC team's mother organization) suggested to media outlets at the Tokyo Motor Show today that the brand is set to continue its LMP1 program into the next season. Contrary to some reports, though, there's no full confirmation yet from Toyota on its 2018/19 plans. Part of the hesitation is down to the ACO and FIA's unannounced regulations that will see the performance levels of factory and privateer LMP1 cars balanced.

If Toyota is not guaranteed a win, they might drop out for fear of getting beat by a privateer entry.