The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Le Mans 24 Hours - Toyota Update 5 +VIDEO


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Watch the entire race RIGHT HERE

LE MANS - June 15, 2014:

TS040 HYBRID #7 (Alex Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin, Kazuki Nakajima)
Grid: 1st

With 10 hours remaining of the Le Mans 24 Hours, and having led throughout the night, the #7 TS040 HYBRID stopped on track at Arnage corner, with Kazuki Nakajima at the wheel. The cause of the stoppage has been diagnosed as an electrical problem relating to the loom. The car officially retired from the race after 13 hours and 53 minutes.

Kazuki Nakajima: “It is heartbreaking. I don’t know what to say. I really feel for the team and for all the people who are supporting us. I think we were doing a great race until that moment. We were leading and showing great pace. Somehow I thought maybe we could make it this time and then this happens. That’s Le Mans and that’s why we come here to take on the challenge. We will try again.”

TS040 HYBRID #8 (Anthony Davidson, Nicolas Lapierre, Sébastien Buemi)
Grid: 3rd

During the night the #8 continued to strive for the best possible result and moved into the top six. Progress was interrupted early in the night by an eight-minute pit stop to address aerodynamic balance issues caused by the earlier accident. All three drivers had stints during the night and brought the #8 into a fight for fifth with the #14 Porsche, with Anthony behind the wheel as the sun came up on the Circuit de la Sarthe. The misfortune for its sister TS040 HYBRID elevated the #8 to fourth and closer to the podium, although six laps separated it from the third-placed #2 Audi. Nicolas took over for this third stint with seven-and-a-half hours to go.

Anthony Davidson: “I finished my quadruple stint on the tyre compound which we selected for night-time running. Initially the car didn’t feel great to drive but as the sun came up and the track started to get more grippy the balance came back and I could start pushing. It’s just a pity we are still only in fourth and some way behind.”