Toyota leaning toward 2018-19 WEC commitment

Toyota Gazoo Racing is edging closer toward confirming an extension to its FIA World Endurance Championship LMP1 Hybrid program that will see it compete in the 2018/19 WEC "Super Season." It would make Toyota the only manufacturer confirmed to compete with hybrid-powered LMP1 cars, after Porsche announced its withdrawal from the WEC earlier this year and Peugeot actively shelved its endurance racing plans to compete in World Rallycross.

A team spokesperson told RACER today that "Toyota is willing to participate in WEC 2018-19, but our commitment will depend on appropriate regulations being confirmed." It's the first public acknowledgement that Toyota has interest in continuing to compete in the WEC with no factory competition.

This statement from the team comes after Shigeki Tomoyama, president of Gazoo Racing Company (the WEC team's mother organization) suggested to media outlets at the Tokyo Motor Show today that the brand is set to continue its LMP1 program into the next season. Contrary to some reports, though, there's no full confirmation yet from Toyota on its 2018/19 plans. Part of the hesitation is down to the ACO and FIA's unannounced regulations that will see the performance levels of factory and privateer LMP1 cars balanced.

As it stands, Toyota would have LMP1 competition for 2018/19 in the form of known privateer efforts from SMP Racing/Dallara, ByKolles, Ginetta in addition to the potential for ORECA teams to join the new-look class with a modified 07 LMP2.

Elsewhere, the FIA and ACO confirmed today that Jackie Chan DC Racing driver Thomas Laurent is set to take part in the end-of-season Bahrain WEC Rookie Test with Toyota, driving one of its TS050 HYBRIDS for a minimum of 10 laps.

Three other drivers are set to take part in the test, although they will come from the pool of World Series Formula V8 3.5 drivers who will get their invites after the series' finale on the WEC's Bahrain weekend.

The eventual winner of the World Series Formula V8 3.5 championship will test a Porsche 919 Hybrid, the driver finishing second in the classification will test an ORECA 07 Gibson with the winner of the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 teams, and the driver finishing third in the classification will test with the team which has won the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGTE Pro teams.