Mike Conway will be part of another chapter in Le Mans 24 Hours legend when he takes on a record Hypercar field in front of a sell-out crowd for the centenary edition of the world’s most famous endurance race this week.
Conway and his Toyota Gazoo Racing team were the winners of the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans and the two-time FIA WEC World Champion, will line up with Kamui Kobayashi and José María López, in the #7 GR010 HYBRID.
The trio came out on top in the previous round of the 2023 FIA WEC season at Spa in April. That was perfect preparation for Le Mans, where they go in search of a second victory together, following their win at the beginning of the Hypercar era two years ago.
With double points on offer at Le Mans this week, the result of the race will be crucial to their world championship efforts this season.
This year’s race is more prestigious than ever, with 300,000 fans expected for the 100th-anniversary edition of an event that began back in 1923 as a showcase for the latest automotive technology and has pioneered road-relevant innovations ever since.
Toyota Gazoo Racing has enjoyed a fantastic run in Le Mans, with five consecutive victories since 2018, and now targets a double hat-trick of wins against a 62-car field, including 16 Hypercars from other legendary marques such as Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot and Porsche. Only two other manufacturers have won for six straight years at Le Mans; Ferrari from 1960 to 1965 and Porsche from 1981 to 1987.
Official sessions begin this week with two practice sessions on Wednesday either side of first qualifying, when the fastest eight cars from each class will progress to Thursday’s 30-minute Hyperpole shoot-out, which takes place at 8pm CEST. Two further practice sessions complete the track action on Thursday.
The team will spend Friday rebuilding and preparing its cars before the 91st running of the Le Mans 24 Hours begins on Saturday 10 June at 4pm CEST. It concludes 24 hours later when another page will be added to the illustrious history of endurance racing’s most prestigious event.
Speaking ahead of the the 100th Le Mans race Conway said: “Le Mans is the big one, the race everyone wants to win. I feel like the #7 car has been on top of our game there for the past few years but too many times something has happened and we’ve missed out. But that’s the nature of Le Mans; it’s a very difficult race to win.
“This year I think we have all the ingredients in place to challenge for the win again, and I know we are capable of fighting at the front. It’s going to be a huge challenge for the whole team; it’s always a tough, exhausting week, but we know the job ahead of us. This team knows how to win Le Mans and we are determined to bring it home again.”