TOM’S Admits Feeling “Pressure” Of Favorite Tag

TOM’S boss Jun Yamada admits the flagship Toyota team heads into the new SUPER GT season under a certain amount of “pressure” owing to its pre-season favorite status.

The No. 36 TOM’S GR Supra of Sho Tsuboi and Kenta Yamashita has featured strongly during the pre-season, topping two days out of four during official testing at Okayama and Fuji and also topping a qualifying simulation at the former venue.

Tsuboi goes into this weekend’s opening round at Okayama aiming for his third GT500 in four years, while Yamashita is targeting his second title and his first for TOM’S, having joined the team over the winter to replace Europe-bound Ritomo Miyata.

Yamada says he has been satisfied by the No. 36 car’s showing in testing, as well as the improvements Toyota has made to the 2024-spec GR Supra, while conceding that expectations are high going into the new campaign.

“I would say we are well prepared,” Yamada told Sportscar365. “I’m sure we can have a strong opening round, but it’s a long season and this year many regulations have changed, including qualifying and the race distances.

“I think that could change the strategy a lot for the races where we are carrying heavy success ballast. But the driver line-up is strong, and I want to make the most of that. 

“The results have been in good testing, so I think the car has the ability to fight.”

Asked how he felt about being considered the favorite, Yamada replied: “The team also thinks that, and with the drivers we have, naturally there’s pressure on our shoulders.

“Nissan and Honda will be strong, so I don’t think we will be able to take the title easily. I’m sure Honda will improve over the season with the new car.”

TOM’S claimed last year’s title with an average grid position of 9.3, often showing better performance in the race than in qualifying, leading to suggestions that the controversial new aggregate qualifying format could benefit the Toyota team.

“Both drivers are fast, and looking towards the race, both are good at tire management,” said Yamada. “I’m not worried about it, but it’s hard to say how the new format will work.”

Krumm’s Arrival a Boost for No. 37 TOM’S Crew

On the other side of the TOM’S garage, the No. 37 pairing of Ukyo Sasahara and Giuliano Alesi are aiming to rebound from a difficult 2023 season that yielded a best finish of sixth and left them 14th out of 15 crews in the drivers’ standings.

The No. 37 car has a new team director this year in the form of Michael Krumm, who won the 1997 GT500 title for TOM’S and is returning to the fold after a long spell at Nissan, where he spent over two decades as a driver and advisor.

Yamada is hoping that the arrival of Krumm, who speaks fluent Japanese, can help Alesi in particular lift his performances this season.

“Michael joined the team over the winter, and it’s been positive,” said Yamada. “Ukyo performed well last season, so it’s about how far Giuliano can catch up with him. 

“Having Michael in the team should make it easier for Giuliano, also on the mental side. If he can show the performance he is capable of, I’m hoping it won’t be like last year. 

“I think the No. 37 car’s performance level will again be down to Giuliano, but I think that Michael will move things in a good direction.”

Krumm’s arrival as team director for car No. 37 has freed up Yamada to move to the role of general manager, overseeing both of the TOM’S crews.

“I was working with both crews last year, but this year, the roles are divided a bit more clearly,” said Yamada. 

“Compared to last year, when I was acting as team director, taking a step back from car No. 37 and looking at things as a whole should make things a little better.”