Reigning FIA World Endurance Champion Mike Conway is excited for the season ahead with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, as the triple World Champions today unveiled their brand-new GR010 HYBRID Le Mans Hypercar to the world.
Ushering in a new era for the FIA World Endurance Championship, 2021 will see Mike embark on his sixth campaign with Toyota where he’ll also bid to defend his title alongside fellow teammates Kamui Kobayashi and José María López at the wheel of the #7 GR010 HYBRID.
Mike achieved the ultimate goal of becoming World Champion in the Le Mans Prototype category’s swansong season in 2019-20 – claiming a sublime four victories from eight races and a 100% podium finish rate.
As part of preparations for the GR010 HYBRID’s debut season, Mike has been instrumental in the car’s development – taking the wheel for the car’s very first laps. The 12-time WEC race winner is looking forward to getting the car out on track at the opening race of the season in Sebring.
“Everyone is excited to see the GR010 HYBRID racing for the first time,” Mike said. “It’s always cool to drive a race car for the first time and a nice challenge to get used to all the small differences. I have been surprised how good the car feels after just a few days testing; I already feel at home in it.”
With development of the GR010 HYBRID feeding directly into the Japanese marque’s road-going cars, Mike takes pride in helping bring relevant technologies to the masses.
“It is a fantastic experience to be part of racing developments which will be translated into future road cars. The whole team is motivated by that and looking forward to showing the car to the fans this season.”
The dawn of a new generation of cars for the World Endurance Championship means Mike will face fierce competition to defend his title but it’s a challenge the 37-year-old is very much looking forward to, alongside bidding for victory at the illustrious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“To start the new season as World Champion is cool; it gives all three of us on #7 a nice boost but it’s one thing to win a title and another to retain it. The goal is to win the championship again and also get the big one; Le Mans.”
The 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign is scheduled to get underway with the 1000 Miles of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway, Florida on March 19th.