TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s 2025 Le Mans campaign ended in frustration as the team’s quest for a sixth overall win at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe fell short despite a strong collective effort and moments of competitive promise.
Facing off against 20 other Hypercars from a record eight manufacturers, the team approached the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans with high hopes and an unwavering spirit, commemorating 40 years since Toyota’s first entry in the event.
Both GR010 HYBRID cars gained ground early on, with the #8 car even leading briefly as the race unfolded. However, a relentless pace from rivals and critical technical setbacks ultimately derailed the team’s challenge. The #7 car, despite suffering bodywork damage and a penalty in the early hours, recovered strongly to finish sixth. Meanwhile, the #8 suffered a mechanical failure in the final quarter, dropping it out of podium contention and down to 16th place.
The team’s strategy and determination were evident as drivers and crew adapted to every challenge. The #8 GR010 HYBRID was well in the fight for a top-five finish before a component failure caused the front-left wheel to come off. Quick repairs allowed the car to rejoin, albeit seven laps down. The #7 pushed to the end, with Kamui Kobayashi closing in on the Cadillac ahead until a late penalty sealed their final position.
While the result did not reflect the effort, the experience fuels TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s resolve heading into the remainder of the FIA WEC season. The team returns to competition at the 6 Hours of São Paulo on 13 July, aiming for its first win of the season and a strong second half of the championship.
Kamui Kobayashi (#7, Team Principal):
“This result is hard to accept, especially as we’ve now lost to Ferrari three times. We need to come back with a different mindset and be ready to fight harder than ever.”
Mike Conway (#7):
“We pushed as hard as we could, and sixth was the best we could do given our start and circumstances. It wasn’t the result we hoped for, but the team never gave up.”
Nyck de Vries (#7):
“You come to Le Mans to win. We gave everything, but we lacked pace. The effort was there, and I’m proud of the fight we put up.”
Sébastien Buemi (#8):
“It’s disappointing to be taken out of the fight by a technical issue. We stayed clean and consistent, but it just wasn’t our day.”
Brendon Hartley (#8):
“Even without front-running pace, we were in the hunt. The whole team worked tirelessly—it’s a shame we couldn’t convert that into a better result.”
Ryo Hirakawa (#8):
“We didn’t give up until the end. It’s not the outcome we wanted, but we’ll carry the lessons to the next race and beyond.”
