Toyota Confirms LMP1 Return for 2018/19

Photo: James Moy/Toyota

Toyota Gazoo Racing has confirmed its return to the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, with the Japanese manufacturer committing for the entire 2018/19 ‘Super Season.’

The announcement came from team president Hisatake Murata in Sunday’s end-of-season awards ceremony in Bahrain.

It ends months of speculation and hints that it would likely continue with its Toyota TS050 Hybrids into next season, despite facing no direct LMP1 hybrid competition following Porsche’s exit.

Toyota Gazoo Racing President Shigeki Tomoyama revealed last month that they were “looking to stay” in the championship, despite the depleted manufacturer involvement.

Toyota joins confirmed privateer entries from SMP Racing, DragonSpeed and Manor in the top prototype class next year, with additional LMP1 non-hybrids expected in the new-look category.

Drivers have yet to be confirmed, although technical director Pascal Vasselon told Sportscar365 this weekend that it would likely come in January, during the the manufacturer’s annual motorsport event in Tokyo.

It’s understood the team is unlikely to again field three cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John