Toyota Hybrids Win Second Endurance Race In A Row - Has Audi's Death Grip On The Series Been Broken?

The WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps was fairly processional for the first half of the race, but the closing stanza of Round 2 didn't disappoint, serving up compelling storylines as Toyota Racing used supreme pace to score its second consecutive win.

The No. 8 Toyota TS040 Hybrid LMP1 piloted by Anthony Davidson, Nicolas Lapierre and Sebastien Buemi used all of the combined 1000 horsepower produced by its V8 engine and ERS unit to streak away from the LMP1-H entries from Audi and Porsche, leading home the No. 1 Audi R18 by 1m13.926s. Toyota completed the podium with the No. 7 TS040, 6.9 seconds behind the single-turbo V6 diesel.

"The beginning of the race was tough; the [problem with] the No. 14 Porsche made it easier," said Lapierre, who ran the final stint in the No. 8 Toyota. "In the end we got the second win. It's the perfect beginning to the season."

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knowitall1985 - 5/5/2014 5:55:28 PM

+2 Boost

I bet the Germans are all pis*ed off. Back to the drawing board boys.

Dr550 - 5/6/2014 2:16:22 AM

0 Boost

Toyota Le Mans team is based in Cologne, Germany. Engineers, engine, brakes, tub, etc. are German sourced. Result of Toyota's failed F1 effort.

MorePower - 5/5/2014 6:34:28 PM

+2 Boost

Toyota did right by hiring two very talented former F1 drivers whose careers in F1 were cut short for political reasons and the misfortune of being in the sport at the right time in the wrong car.

DTMFan - 5/6/2014 10:46:24 AM

0 Boost

Audi have been beaten a number of times in 'Le Mans' series endurance races, they just have a habit of winning the 24 hour race itself, which tends to be the one people remember.

7msynthetic - 5/6/2014 3:51:00 PM

+3 Boost

Toyota just needs a bit better luck. Their car is very strong this year and their race strategy is better/smarter than ever. Their drivers are also very good too. Audi's LeMans aero package used in SPA was super slow and easily beaten by Toyota who also used their LeMans package. When Audi did press it was with their high downforce package... a no no in LeMans as it eats tires and burns more fuel, causing you to come in for more pit sops. If Toyota doesn't crash (or er... someone doesn't crash in to them) they should win. I am more worried about Porsche than Audi this year. Also, don't forget that Audi's WEC budget is WAYYYY higher than Toyota's !