P1racenews AI automatic summary:
How Toyota has helped its new LMGT3 partner team in WEC transition from Mercedes
The French outfit, Akkodis ASP, has switched from Mercedes to Toyota-owned Lexus brand for the 2024 season due to WEC’s shift to adopting GT3 cars for the first time, prioritizing manufacturers with a presence in the Hypercar class. The move was essential as the new LMGT3 class replaced GTE Am, making a Mercedes entry unlikely to be admitted. ASP had a Toyota brand affiliation through a French GT4 program with GR Supra GT4 Evo, leading them to run the Lexus RC F GT3, which won last year’s IMSA Sportscar Championship GTD Pro title. Time constraints posed a challenge, with only two and a half months between the end of the GTWCE Sprint Cup season and the first WEC round, necessitating support from TGR and TRD US operations. TGR assisted in Lexus homologation and shared knowledge of energy consumption calculation mechanisms, crucial for the team’s readiness for the new season. TRD’s aid included providing support staff and expert driver Jack Hawksworth to ensure a smooth transition to the Lexus RC F GT3.
