Kobayashi Expects “Challenging” WTR Daytona Homecoming

Toyota FIA World Endurance Championship star Kamui Kobayashi says his lack of LMDh experience means he is braced for a “challenging” return to the Wayne Taylor Racing fold for next month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Kobayashi was named as the additional fourth driver for WTR’s No. 40 Cadillac V-Series.R back in October upon the GM marque’s announcement of its full 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship roster.

The Japanese veteran will team up with full-time drivers Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz as well as Alex Lynn as he targets a third Rolex 24 victory following his two triumphs aboard WTR Cadillac DPi machinery in 2019-20.

However, Kobayashi is aware that he faces a learning curve as he will have to get up to speed with an LMDh car for the first time, a process made more difficult by the fact he was unavailable for the IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona last month.

He is set for his first taste of the V-Series.R in next month’s Roar test that takes place a week before the Rolex 24.

“I’m looking forward to working again with Wayne, who is so passionate and has huge fighting spirit,” Kobayashi told Sportscar365. “We’ve been very successful together: I did only two races with them, and both times we won!

“I know most of the guys, although with the second car there will be some guys who are different. It’s a strong team. But I think it will be challenging.

“Everybody has more experience of this [GTP] category now after two years, and I have a lack of experience with these LMDh cars. It’s a different system to LMH.

“I will just be jumping into the car for the first time at the Roar, so it will be a challenge.”

Kobayashi made two further Daytona appearances with the Action Express Racing-run Ally Racing Cadillac squad in 2021-22 following WTR’s switch to Acura, which prevented the Japanese driver from continuing his relationship with the team.

But WTR and Cadillac joining forces again opened the door for Kobayashi to return, despite the fact that the GM brand is a rival of Toyota’s in the WEC, with Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda giving his personal blessing to the deal.

“I spoke to Mr. Toyoda about it, and he told me that if I have the opportunity, I have to do it,” revealed Kobayashi.

“I was wondering whether or not it would be possible, but personally I wanted to do it, and he pushed me to do it. So big appreciation to him.”

Hartley Delighted to Extend WTR Collaboration

Kobayashi’s fellow Toyota WEC racer Brendon Hartley will also be part of the WTR lineup for the Rolex 24, as he joins the crew of the sister No. 10 car as the fourth driver alongside Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque and Will Stevens.

It will mark Hartley’s third Daytona appearance in succession for WTR, and continues a collaboration that began when the New Zealander joined the team for the IMSA season-closing Motul Petit Le Mans in 2022.

He was also part of the WTR Acura crew that finished second in the Rolex 24 in 2023, together with the elder Taylor brother, Albuquerque and Deletraz, but is still searching for a first win at the historic Florida track.

“I love racing in the U.S.,” Hartley told Sportscar365. “I’ve been with WTR a couple of years, I did three races for them this year, and I really enjoy working with them.

“I’m happy to be back at Daytona. I would love to do all three [long-distance] races, they are good fun races, but it’s great to add another race to my schedule. A lot of the other drivers on the [WEC] grid are doing Formula E or other races, so it’s positive for me.

“Wayne Taylor is always in with a chance of winning, but it’s a race I have never won. Kamui is on the other car, he’s the one with the good record! But I think we’ll have a good chance and I’m looking forward to it.”

Like Kobayashi, Hartley was absent from last month’s Daytona test and will sample the WTR Cadillac for the first time during the Roar in January.