Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe has released the first official images of the 2022 GR010 Hybrid. Although the Le Mans hypercars are homologated for five years, a lot of work was done at Toyota via so-called development jokers.
While visually a larger fin and larger rear wing endplates stand out, the most far-reaching change is predicted to be a change in tire specs. While the 2021 Toyota GR010 Hybrid was still running on 13-inch wide tires (330.2 millimeters), the front and rear dimensions are now different.
Narrower tires measuring 12.5 inches (317.5 millimeters) are used on the front axle and 14 inches (355.6 millimeters) on the rear axle. Both options are provided for in the regulations.
The option with different wheel sizes was originally intended for rear-wheel drive Le Mans hypercars such as the Glickenhaus 007 LMH. But nowhere is it written that all-wheel drive cars have to use the 13-inch solution.
According to Toyota chief technical officer Pascal Vasselon, the change is a measure “to address the challenges we had in managing the rear tires last year.”
Engine adapted to new fuel
The visual changes to the fin and rear wing end plates were necessary to offset the effects of the larger wheel arches. It’s both about directing the airflow to the rear wing like in the old configuration, and about staying within the performance windows that the LMH regulations dictate.
World champion and Le Mans winner Kamui Kobayashi, who will also take on the role of “Team President” from 2022, is convinced: “Our car should now be more consistent after we have adjusted some areas on the GR010.”
The adjustments also include changes to the engine to accommodate TotalEnergies’ new 100 percent renewable fuel. This is obtained from waste products of the wine industry.
Vasselon speaks of an “important step towards CO2 neutrality for Toyota and the WEC.” After the winter test drives in Europe, the last evaluations will be made at the official WEC prologue in Sebring this weekend.
Le Mans hypercars may only be further developed to a very limited extent during their life cycle. Each manufacturer has five development jokers available for this purpose. The manufacturer is currently leaving it open how many of these jokers Toyota used for the changes.