Double FIA WEC World Drivers Champion and 2021 overall winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Mike Conway has been forced to withdraw from his role driving the #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 HYBRID after suffering fractures to his ribs and collar bone in a cycling accident on Thursday.
Conway’s long-time team-mate José María López returns to the cockpit of the #7 GR010 HYBRID as a stand-in, with AKKODIS ASP confirming to DSC that IMSA Vasser Sullivan Lexus driver Jack Hawksworth will replace him at the wheel of the #87 Lexus RC F in LMGT3. It will be his first Le Mans start.
“Toyota Gazoo Racing shares Mike’s heartfelt disappointment at this situation and will continue to give close support throughout his journey back to full fitness. All team members are looking forward to seeing Mike – part of the team family since 2014 – back in the cockpit at the earliest opportunity,” the team said in a statement this afternoon.
“Mike’s close friend and former team-mate José María López, who raced for Toyota Gazoo Racing from 2017 to 2023, returns to the cockpit of the #7 GR010 HYBRID, starting in Sunday’s official test.
“Toyota Gazoo Racing expresses its sincere appreciation to AKKODIS ASP for releasing him from his LMGT3 commitments.
“Mike will immediately begin an intensive rehabilitation programme, under the supervision of Toyota Gazoo Racing medical staff, with the target of returning to FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) action as soon as possible.”
