Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima will share the new Toyota LMP1 hybrid that will make its debuts in endurance world championship and Le Mans 24 Hours in 2012.
Toyota, which is about to make its return in racing next season, has signed two experienced drivers, and one of his factory drivers. Former-F1 driver Alex Wurz, 37-year-old, will leave the team Peugeot Sport, that he entered in 2008. He won Le Mans 24 Hours on the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP in 2009. His experience will be helpful for the japanese constructor.
27-year-old Nicolas Lapierre moved to endurance racing in 2008 after a career in single seater (F3 Euroseries, GP2, A1 GP). The frenchman entered the team Oreca – which will work with Toyota in his endurance program -, in 2007. He drove the Oreca’s LMP1 prototype in 2008 and 2009, before two successfull seasons with the private Peugeot 908 HDi ran by Oreca in 2010 and 2011, including a win at Sebring 12 Hours with Olivier Panis and Loïc Duval.
Kazuki Nakajima will be the japanese part of the line-up. 26-year-old Nakajima, son of former-F1 driver Satoru Nakajima, ran himself the Formula 1 championship with team Williams in 2008 and 2009. He moved to Formula Nippon and japanese Super GT championship as a Toyota driver. He will make his debuts in endurance racing.
The three will make their debuts together aboard the new Toyota LMP1 hybrid prototype in 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, and will take part to selected races of the endurance world championship in the second half of the season.
Toyota, which is about to make its return in racing next season, has signed two experienced drivers, and one of his factory drivers. Former-F1 driver Alex Wurz, 37-year-old, will leave the team Peugeot Sport, that he entered in 2008. He won Le Mans 24 Hours on the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP in 2009. His experience will be helpful for the japanese constructor.
27-year-old Nicolas Lapierre moved to endurance racing in 2008 after a career in single seater (F3 Euroseries, GP2, A1 GP). The frenchman entered the team Oreca – which will work with Toyota in his endurance program -, in 2007. He drove the Oreca’s LMP1 prototype in 2008 and 2009, before two successfull seasons with the private Peugeot 908 HDi ran by Oreca in 2010 and 2011, including a win at Sebring 12 Hours with Olivier Panis and Loïc Duval.
Kazuki Nakajima will be the japanese part of the line-up. 26-year-old Nakajima, son of former-F1 driver Satoru Nakajima, ran himself the Formula 1 championship with team Williams in 2008 and 2009. He moved to Formula Nippon and japanese Super GT championship as a Toyota driver. He will make his debuts in endurance racing.
The three will make their debuts together aboard the new Toyota LMP1 hybrid prototype in 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, and will take part to selected races of the endurance world championship in the second half of the season.