2015 and 2017 FIA WEC World Drivers Champion, 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours winner and former Toro Rosso F1 driver Brendon Hartley, is set to return to a full season of FIA WEC action in 2019/20 with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Hartley will join the team for the full 2019/20 season as the de facto replacement for the departing Fernando Alonso who will drive for Toyota for the final time at the 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours. There the Spanish double F1 World Champion is looking for a second consecutive win at Le Mans and a WEC Drivers World Championship.
It will be Hartley’s fifth full season in the FIA WEC, he contested the Championship with the Porsche factory team from 2014-2017 scoring 12 race wins en route to his pair of World Titles.
“A big thanks to Toyota Gazoo Racing for giving me this opportunity,” said Hartley.
“I know how professional and motivated this team is following my years competing against them in WEC, so I am fired up and am very happy to be joining them. I believe I am returning to WEC an even stronger driver following my experience in Formula 1 and I look forward to getting on track and building a strong relationship with my new team.
“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the TS050 HYBRID; the first tests can’t come soon enough.”
Hartley, currently test and simulator driver for Ferrari in Formula One and test and development driver for Porsche in Formula E,
will make his public debut with Toyota at the Le Mans Test Day.
Alonso meanwhile will depart after a single, albeit ‘super’ WEC season, during which he also won the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona with Wayne Taylor Racing in a one-off IMSA appearance.
However, Toyota has stated that he will pursue “new motorsport adventures within the Toyota Gazoo Racing family” in the future. Could the Dakar Rally be on his wishlist? The Spaniard recently tested a Dakar Hilux with Toyota Gazoo.
What a day! Thanks Toyota Gazoo to make this test happen. Great to experience different cars and approach to racing in Motorsport. #toyota #motorsport @toyota_sa @toyotamotorsportgmbh pic.twitter.com/n4ERIGoAXW
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) March 27, 2019
“I have enjoyed being part of Toyota Gazoo Racing in WEC but this chapter is ending,” Alonso explained.
“Winning Le Mans is one of the highlights of my career as part of my Triple Crown challenge and I will always remember that victory which we achieved together as a team last year. Now is a good time to take on new challenges and there are many interesting opportunities to explore within Toyota Gazoo Racing.
“I wish Brendon all the best for next season and I would like to thank all the team members for the big effort they continue to make to achieve success in WEC. We still have two important races remaining as we are still in the fight to become WEC World Champions and I will be pushing hard to win both of them.
“I would love to put an end to this super season by celebrating a new world title with all the Toyota Gazoo Racing family. Finally, I’d like to take the opportunity to say thanks to all WEC and ACO members for such a warm welcome and experience.”
