Toyota Gazoo Racing starts WEC season with Qatar challenge
Featuring GR010 Hybrid race cars
Toyota Gazoo Racing embarks on its 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) campaign with an exciting challenge in Qatar. The season kicks off on February 28, with the team aiming to continue its mission of developing motorsports-bred cars while bringing joy to fans worldwide.
In pursuit of its objective to create ever-better cars through motorsports, Toyota Gazoo Racing will compete with two GR010 Hybrid race cars, showcasing a blend of cutting-edge technology and experienced drivers. The team will be looking to defend its dominance in endurance racing following years of success on the global motorsport stage.
The 2025 season will see a blend of familiar faces behind the wheel and new challenges on the horizon. Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries return for a second consecutive year in the #7 GR010 Hybrid. Meanwhile, Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa unite for the fourth time, aiming for a third driver’s title.
Toyota Gazoo Racing is no stranger to the high stakes of the WEC, having won multiple drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles over the years. In 2025, they will compete for their eighth manufacturers’ World Championship and seventh drivers’ crown, focusing on securing their sixth victory at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours in June.
The GR010 Hybrid, which made history as the first-ever Hypercar when it debuted in 2021, enters its fifth competition season. While the car has remained unchanged for 2025, a key update has been the addition of mandatory LED panels on the sidepod. These panels will display the car’s position and pit stop timing, enhancing the fan experience at the track and for those watching from home.
As the first event on the 2025 calendar, Qatar will host the traditional two-day Prologue pre-season test and the 10-hour Qatar 1812km race. The Lusail International Circuit, with its 5.418km layout, will offer a challenging test for the teams as they prepare for the season ahead.
Last year’s Qatar debut saw Nyck de Vries earn a strong second-place grid position. However, a challenging race required a strong collective effort from the team, and the #7 car finished in fifth place, while the #8 car came in eighth, securing valuable points for the season opener.
Preparations for the Qatar challenge begin with a comprehensive two-day test at Lusail on February 21 and 22, where the teams will have seven hours of testing each day. The race week officially kicks off on February 26 with two 90-minute free practice sessions, including one that will conclude after sunset. Qualifying and Hyperpole will occur on February 27 at 5.40 pm local time (3.40 pm CET), with the 10-hour race commencing on February 28 at 2 pm local time (midday CET).
Image: The GR010 Hybrid, which made history as the first-ever Hypercar when it debuted in 2021, enters its fifth competition season. Credit: Toyota Gazoo Racing
