China Challenge to Close Toyota Gazoo Racing’s 2018 Campaign

Toyota Gazoo Racing are determined to end the year on a high, targeting a one-two finish in this weekend’s 6 Hours of Shanghai. Success would consolidate their position at the top of the FIA World Endurance Championship table prior to the winter break in the eight-round 2018-2019 season.

The team are in a positive mood for the race on the 3.4-mile Shanghai International Circuit, having posted an impressive one-two result in their “home” race at Fuji in Japan last month. They hold a 14-point lead in the team’s championship over their nearest rivals, Rebellion Racing.

The driver’s championship is currently a fight between the two Toyota Gazoo Racing crews, with Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López in the No7 TS050 Hybrid having rejuvenated their challenge with their first win of the season at Fuji. However with two wins from four races, including the Le Mans 24 Hours, Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Fernando Alonso in the No8 Toyota have a 13-point advantage over their team-mates.

Conway said: “It’s hard to believe we are only now reaching the second half of the season but this means there are a lot of trophies and points still to fight for. Kamui, José and I enjoyed the winning feeling at Fuji so we’d love to experience that again, but the main target is to get another one-two for the team who are always pushing so hard to give us a strong car.”

The team have a strong record in China, having won on three of its six previous visits to Shanghai. Its preparations for a seventh win begin with practice sessions on Friday, prior to qualifying runs on Saturday. The race will start at 11am local time on Sunday (3am GMT).

ENDS