Pechito López returns to the wheel of the Toyota that took him to victory at Le Mans in 2021

José María López returns to the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Hypercar program for the sixth round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship at the Circuit of The Americas (September 5-7). The Argentine driver will replace Mike Conway, who suffered a broken collarbone in a training accident.

The López-Conway duo had already experienced a similar situation in the previous edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024, where the British driver also had to give up his seat due to injury. On that occasion, López, alongside Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries, achieved second place at the wheel of the Toyota GR010 HYBRID #7.

Photo By Maxime Lantz

López Temporarily Leaves His LMGT3 Program

The Argentine two-time world champion will pause his participation in the LMGT3 category, where just seven weeks ago he celebrated Lexus' first victory in the WEC during the São Paulo round. López had been reassigned to Toyota's GT3 program in 2024, after six full seasons in the Hypercar category between 2017 and 2023.

I am sad for Mike, who is a great friend, and I know he is very disappointed not to be able to race in Austin. I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. It is an unexpected opportunity to work again with everyone on the team, and I am sure it will be like old times very quickly.

Jack Hawksworth Takes the Wheel of the Lexus #87

The British driver based in the United States will take López's place in the Akkodis ASP Team for the Austin round. Hawksworth has participated in the two most recent editions of Le Mans with the French team, where in his second appearance this year he led the opening hours of the race in the Lexus RC F LMGT3.

The former IMSA GTD Pro category champion will team up with the regular drivers Clemens Schmid and Petru Umbrărescu in car #87.

Photo By Maxime Lantz

Kobayashi Trusts in López's Experience

Kamui Kobayashi, López's teammate for multiple seasons at Toyota, expressed his confidence in the Argentine's performance. "Of course, we are all disappointed that Mike cannot join us in car #7, but José has proven to be a very capable substitute," commented the Japanese driver.

"I want to thank the Akkodis ASP Team immensely for their support in allowing José to join us. The Circuit of The Americas is a fantastic track to drive, and I can't wait to get back out in our GR010 HYBRID."

López boasts a top-level record with Toyota: he was WEC champion in the 2019-2020 season alongside Conway and Kobayashi, and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2021 with the same crew. Between 2017 and 2023, he competed full-time in the Hypercar program, first with the TS050 Hybrid LMP1 and later with the GR010 HYBRID.