Toyota Gazoo Racing has confirmed it will continue its participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship beyond 2020 following the confirmation of new hypercar technical regulations.
Whilst Toyota has already confirmed its plans for the 2019/20 season, which will be the final campaign with the current-specification LMP1 regulations, it confirmed it would commit to a hypercar programme for the 2020/21 season.
The announcement comes on the same day new technical regulations were confirmed for the top-tier of the WEC.
Toyota intends to develop a hybrid-powered prototype based on the GR Super Sport road car, which is already undergoing design and intensive development at the company's technical centres in Toyota City, Higashi-Fuji and Cologne.
"I am pleased to confirm that Toyota Gazoo Racing will continue its challenge in endurance racing beyond the current regulations," commented Shigeki Tomoyama, company president.
"Thank you to the ACO and FIA for their hard work in finalising these regulations, which we hope will bring about a new golden age of endurance racing, with several manufacturers fighting for Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
"For Toyota Gazoo Racing, this new era of competition is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate our credentials not only as a race team against some of the best in the business, but also as a sportscar manufacturer. I am sure I join fans and competitors in welcoming the new regulations and looking forward to an exciting era of competition in WEC and at Le Mans."
"It's good that Toyota has committed to the new regulations," says #7 driver Mike Conway. "The ACO have finally come to an agreement on what it's gonna be. There was a lot of waiting for that. Aston Martin coming in is cool, and they're going to be there for the first year, which is pretty exciting. We're excited to have another manufacturer to race against. Good news for the WEC, the ACO and the racing in this category."
Reserve driver Brendon Hartley added: "It's great news for everyone here at Toyota, the WEC. Everyone's happy to hear the news from Aston Martin rejoining as competitors as well. The future looks bright and everyone's excited to start this new era of top sportscar racing."
Aston Martin has already confirmed it intends to compete with its Valkyrie hypercar and it's expected a number of other manufacturers will confirm their plans soon.
