This weekend, Toyota drivers Mike Conway and Ryo Hirakawa are gearing up for an important round of the FIA World Endurance Championship at the Circuit of The Americas. After a solid win at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo last month, Toyota is just four points behind Porsche in the manufacturers’ standings.
Conway and his teammates, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries, are eager to build on their momentum. Despite a tough fourth-place finish in Brazil, the victory by Hirakawa, Brendon Hartley, and Sebastien Buemi has kept their title hopes alive. Conway, who shares the No. 7 GR010 Hybrid with Kobayashi and de Vries, is optimistic about their chances at COTA, especially after a promising test session there last month.
Conway admitted that while the team’s performance in Sao Paulo was strong, the upcoming race at COTA will present new challenges. The different tire strategies and track conditions could play a significant role. Toyota’s ability to run the Medium tire longer than some competitors might give them an edge, but it’s uncertain how the new track surface will affect this.
Although Conway won’t be racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans due to an injury, he remains committed to supporting his teammates. He believes there’s still a chance to compete for the title, despite the strong performance of Porsche’s No. 6 car.
Toyota arrives at COTA with a Balance of Performance adjustment affecting their car’s weight and power. Hirakawa noted that during the July test, Toyota anticipated these changes and ran the car in a similar configuration. However, the track’s unexpected bumps might affect their performance.
Currently, Hirakawa, Buemi, and Hartley are 48 points behind the leading Porsche trio with only three races left in the season. Hirakawa acknowledges the challenge ahead but stresses the importance of teamwork. The goal is to keep the positive momentum from Sao Paulo and push towards a strong finish in the championship.
As the Toyota team heads to COTA, their focus is clear: maintaining their competitive edge and supporting each other in the quest for the title.
