Rob Leupen, Toyota's director in the WEC, indicated that implementing this plan for the next season is no longer feasible and that any additional entry in the Hypercar class would not be possible until at least 2026. "We're looking at Ferrari's strategy with their satellite car, and we find it interesting," he said.
Additionally, Leupen pointed out that the preparation times for an additional vehicle and the necessary infrastructure would make its inclusion in the WEC for 2025 impossible. "If we wanted to implement it next year, we should have decided already, and currently, nothing is resolved," he added.
Toyota admires Ferrari's method, where the AF Corse team operates an additional 499P LMH with drivers like Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Robert Shwartzman in a customer model. However, Toyota faces unique challenges with managing an LMH with four-wheel drive, which differs from Porsche's strategy of selling its 963 LMDh model to private teams.
An additional Toyota would not accrue points for the manufacturer in the WEC but would compete in the Teams' World Cup, where additional teams from Ferrari and Porsche already compete.
With the likely increase in the WEC grid to 40 cars next year and the requirement for manufacturers to field at least two cars, the viability of an additional Toyota is in doubt. "Considering the numbers of cars Ferrari and Porsche have on the track, our expansion is a logical possibility," Leupen stated.
The director also mentioned a potential overlap between the GR010 LMH and a hydrogen combustion prototype that Toyota plans to develop following the unveiling of the GR H2 concept at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year. The introduction of a hydrogen class is not anticipated until 2027 or later.
Porsche considers reducing to two drivers per car by 2025
The changes will be announced before the end of the current WEC season.
Porsche approaches the WEC title after winning in Fuji
Porsche's victory in the 6 Hours of Fuji leaves them on the verge of the championship, while Ferrari leads in LMGT3
Cadillac takes pole position at Fuji after a close qualifying session
Alex Lynn secures Cadillac's first pole position in the world endurance championship at Fuji, beating Toyota by a narrow margin.
Toyota faces new performance restrictions at its home race at Fuji
The Japanese brand will see reduced maximum power and higher minimum weight for the penultimate round of the WEC in Japan
