Newly-crowned Super GT Champion Kenta Yamashita and Toyota test and reserve driver Thomas Laurent (below) have been added to the list of drivers confirmed to test Toyota’s TS050 HYBRID at the Bahrain Rookie Test on December 15th.
The duo will join previously confirmed driver, (Formula 2 champion and Racing Team Nederland driver) Nyck de Vries, in the test following the 8-hour race at the Bahrain International Circuit on December 14th. The Dutchman and Yamashita will visit Toyota’s Cologne factory for a seat fitting and simulator session ahead of the test.
“I’m delighted to have been selected by Toyota Gazoo Racing to test its TS050 HYBRID during its final season of competition. It’s a global legend in terms of its performance and achievements,” said Yamashita, who has been racing with High Class Racing in the WEC’s LMP2 class this season. Last weekend in Shanghai he was pictured with the TS050 HYBRID in the TGR garage ahead of this announcement.
“After three FIA WEC races with High Class Racing this year I have learned a lot about the car and the challenge of WEC. This test in Bahrain will help me develop my skills and gain valuable experience.”
Nikolaj Johansen from High Class Racing added: “All of us at High Class Racing are proud to have been a part of Kenta’s introduction to prototype racing this season and are thrilled that he has been handed the opportunity to test one of the most significant race cars in the modern era.
“He has made great strides since he first drove with us at the pre-season Prologue Test and we look forward to seeing what he can produce during the remaining rounds of the championship.”
Hisatake Murata, Toyota Gazoo Racing’s team president, says everyone in the programme is looking forward to seeing what the three drivers can do in the TS050 HYBRID, before it is retired from competition at the end of the current season.
“We are looking forward to seeing Thomas drive the TS050 HYBRID again and it’s always interesting to have such promising young drivers like Kenta and Nyck experience a hybrid LMP1 car for the first time,” he said.
“The rookie test is a great opportunity for us to give this chance to two drivers who very much deserve an opportunity to test an LMP1 car at this stage in their careers. Of course, we know Thomas well and it will be interesting to get his input on how the TS050 HYBRID has evolved since he last drove it at the Prologue.”
