Around the corner lies one of the most anticipated races in motorsport history, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This year's edition will see eight major manufacturers competing fiercely in the Hypercar category. Among them stands Toyota, marking its 40th anniversary since its debut at Le Mans in 1985. To honor this milestone, Toyota has unveiled a special livery for one of its GR010 Hypercars inspired by its iconic GT-One racer from the late '90s. Since re-entering the race in 2012, Toyota has achieved significant success, dominating between 2018 and 2022. While recent years have seen increased competition, Toyota remains a formidable force in endurance racing.
The journey began in 1985 when Toyota first entered the prestigious 24-hour race. Over the following years, it consistently participated until 1999, achieving notable results such as second place in 1992 with the TS010 Group C racer. After a decade-long hiatus during the early 2000s, Toyota returned to Le Mans in 2012 with the hybrid-powered TS030. Since then, it has enjoyed remarkable achievements, including consecutive victories from 2018 to 2022. Although recent editions saw Ferrari triumph, Toyota continues to secure top honors in the World Endurance Championship.
To celebrate four decades of participation, Toyota drew inspiration from its legendary GT-One. Developed under the GT1 rules in the late 1990s, this car exploited loopholes to create a bespoke prototype. Despite never winning Le Mans outright, the GT-One left an indelible mark on motorsport history due to its innovative approach and appearance in Gran Turismo 2. For this year's race, the #7 GR010 will feature a striking tiger-striped red and white Esso design reminiscent of the GT-One, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries. Meanwhile, the #8 car will sport a subtle variation of the team's current matte black theme.
As anticipation builds for the race scheduled for June 14-15, fans eagerly await whether these nostalgic liveries might inspire Toyota toward another victory. The inclusion of retro designs highlights not only Toyota's rich history but also sparks interest in potential tributes from other manufacturers like Peugeot. Whether or not Toyota secures its sixth Le Mans win, this year's event promises excitement and nostalgia in equal measure.