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Dubai, United Arab Emirates – GAZOO Racing recently claimed victory at the 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans to extend its winning streak to five straight wins at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe. Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa rode a brilliant race in the #8 GR010 hybrid electric hypercar, completing 380 laps to take the checkered flag in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The team’s fourth one-two finish at the iconic event was completed by last year’s winners Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López in the #7 GR010 Hybrid Electric Hypercar, which crossed the finish line. arrived just 2 minutes and 1.222 seconds behind in second place. Buemi’s fourth victory sets a new victory record for Swiss drivers, while Hartley’s third triumph makes him the most successful New Zealand driver at Le Mans.
The two GR010 hybrid electric hypercars outclassed the field throughout and fought a close battle up front, the lead changing hands several times as the race ebbed and flowed with traffic, slow-moving areas and the evolution of the track. The contest continued for 16 hours, with the two cars only seconds apart for most of that time.
The face of the race changed decisively on lap 256 when Buemi took the lead in the #8 GR010 Hybrid Electric Hypercar following an extended pit stop by José María López in the #7 GR010 Hybrid Electric Hypercar Brendon Hartley had the honor of passing the checkered flag to win the 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans, followed by López shortly after to complete a grueling 5,177km of racing. The result doubled the points towards the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship, placing GAZOO Racing top of the constructors’ standings after three races.
Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, commented: “Congratulations to the #8 car and thank you to the #7 car for participating in this double! This year Le Mans was a 1-2 race from start to finish. From the start, for 16 hours, they competed, racing within seconds against each other. I would like to thank our six drivers. Additionally, Kamui also took on the role of Team Principal at Le Mans for the first time. I really appreciate him taking on such important roles.
Toyoda continued, “Building cars and building teams are endless battles, please continue to encourage a sense of teamwork. GAZOO Racing was able to win Le Mans five times in a row. Thank you to our many, many fans and partners who continue to fight together. I really appreciate all of your continued support.
Over the years, Toyota has participated in many forms of motorsport, including Formula 1, the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race. Toyota’s participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota created GR to consolidate all of its motorsport activities under one internal brand. Representing Toyota’s belief that “roads build people and people build cars”, GR emphasizes the role of motorsport as a fundamental pillar of Toyota’s commitment to making “ever better” cars. Drawing on years of experience gained in the extreme conditions of motorsport events, GR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring freedom, adventure and driving pleasure to everyone.
The World Endurance Championship returns with the 6 Hours of Monza in Italy on July 10.
Race notes:
- #8 GR010 Electric Hybrid Hypercar (Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa)
- Position: 1st
- Number of rounds: 380
- #7 GR010 Hybrid Electric Hypercar (Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López)
- Position: 2nd
- Number of laps: 380 (+2 min 1.222 sec)
-Ends-
Toyota UAE Social Media Handles:
About Al-Futtaim Toyota
Toyota, a Japanese automaker founded in 1937, is the world leader in hybrid electric vehicle sales. Toyota is exclusively distributed in the United Arab Emirates by Al-Futtaim Automotive, part of the Al-Futtaim Group, for more than six decades, and has been leading the sustainable mobility movement since 2008.
With a wide range of vehicles ranging from SUV, compact, sedan, coupe, minivan and LCV, as well as a wide range of hybrid options, Al-Futtaim Toyota is setting new benchmarks for clean automobiles with the aim of contributing actively to a lower carbon footprint in the UAE. 2017 saw the introduction of the zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) Toyota Mirai, as part of a pilot project to explore the possibilities of establishing a hydrogen-based, zero-carbon society.
Toyota’s lineup includes several hybrid vehicles, including the sporty, practical and eco-friendly RAV4, the C-HR, an innovative compact SUV, the seven-passenger Highlander which is the brand’s largest HEV to date, the powerful Corolla and efficient and the sleek and sophisticated Camry.
In September 2019, after 17 years of waiting, Al-Futtaim Toyota launched the new 2020 Toyota GR Supra in the United Arab Emirates, much to the delight of fans and devotees across the country. With the all-new fifth generation model, the legendary name has returned to set the roads ablaze with a return uniquely suited to the history of the Toyota Supra, with the 2021 version launching a year later in October 2020.
In August 2020, Al-Futtaim Toyota shook up the lifestyle pickup segment with the introduction of the all-new eighth generation Toyota Hilux Adventure. This was the first time the Hilux was available as a retail model in the UAE, meaning it is no longer limited to dominating the commercial-use sector.
For more information and to book a test drive of the latest Toyota models, visit www.toyota.ae
About Al-Futtaim Automotive
Al-Futtaim Automotive, one of the five main operating divisions of the UAE-based Al-Futtaim Group of Companies, is a conglomerate of automotive-related businesses, franchising some of the world’s most recognized automotive brands and services .
Present in 10 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa and with around 9,000 associates, the group’s services, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, cover the distribution of new and used vehicles, manufacturing, rental and after-sales.
Ranging from passenger cars to SUVs, utility vehicles, industrial and construction equipment as well as motorcycles and quads, Al-Futtaim Automotive Group provides an integrative customer-centric experience for motorists, fleet operators and contractors, and strives to become the leader in made-to-measure. tailor-made mobility solutions.
About Al-Futtaim Group
Founded in the 1930s as a trading company, Al-Futtaim is today one of the most diverse and progressive private regional companies, headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Structured into five operational divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; Employing over 35,000 people in over 20 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa, we partner with over 200 of the world’s most admired and innovative brands.
Al-Futtaim’s entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering customer focus allows the organization to continue to grow and develop; meet the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.
By defending our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, integrity; Al-Futtaim continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers every day. For more information visit: www.alfuttaim.com
Media contacts:
Hajar Al Suwaidi | Retail Marketing Manager| Hajar.AlSuwaidi@alfuttaim.com
Nour Aboulaban | Gambit Communications | nour@gambit.ae
