P1racenews AI automatic summary:
How Japan’s underdog LMP1 helped start Toyota WEC juggernaut
Toyota has secured its fifth consecutive World Endurance Championship manufacturers’ crown, marking its sixth overall victory. The team’s dominance was evident in their performance at Fuji, their home race. With the final round in Bahrain yet to be decided, Toyota has the potential to sweep the competition if not for the controversial Balance of Performance change that favored Ferrari at Le Mans. Toyota’s journey to success began in 2012 with the TS030 HYBRID LMP1 and continued with the TS040, TS050, and the new GR010 HYBRID built to Le Mans Hypercar rules in 2021. What is less known is the pivotal role of Japanese constructor Dome, which worked closely with Toyota during its absence from Le Mans after 1999. Dome’s S102 LMP1 car of 2008 served as the inspiration for the TS030 HYBRID. Dome originally planned to lead Toyota’s return to Le Mans, but the project was ultimately transferred to TMG in Cologne. Dome had previously assisted Toyota in developing its Group C efforts in the ’80s and had designed all of Toyota’s Le Mans racers until the late ’80s. After focusing on single-seaters and Formula 1 in the ’90s, Dome shifted its attention back to Le Mans, leading to the development of the LMP900 project and the subsequent S101 car that debuted in 2001.
Source: motorsport
