Hartley Already Feels “Right At Home” With Toyota
Even at this early stage in his tenure with Toyota Gazoo Racing, it’s clear that former Le Mans 24 Hours winner Brendon Hartley is enjoying being back in the FIA WEC paddock.
The Kiwi, who is back in sportscar racing after a challenging season in Formula One with Toro Rosso told DSC that he’s been impressed so far with the Toyota TS050 HYBRID and the team’s professionalism. It’s high praise, coming from a driver who has been competing at the pinnacle of the sport in F1, and previously had a hugely successful run with Porsche’s LMP1 team, which was run to some of the highest standards ever seen in world motorsport.
After finding out he wouldn’t be returning to Toro Rosso in Formula One, he was left scrambling, but quickly looked for a way back into the World Endurance Championship, which prompted him to contact Toyota. His deal to race with the Japanese marque in the 2019/20 season came together late, but Hartley rightly feels he’s landed on his feet.
“It’s been great so far,” he told DSC. “I feel so welcome in the FIA WEC paddock. I know all the Toyota guys well, particularly Sebastien who I lived with at one point. I found out late, after the final round in Abu Dhabi, that I wouldn’t be continuing in Formula 1. But I always said I wanted to come back to Le Mans. I didn’t know it would be so soon, but I contacted Toyota quickly after I knew I wouldn’t be in F1 anymore.
“It wasn’t until February/March I knew this could come together. I’m still under contract with Porsche, but they have been very fair and I disclosed with them early on I was looking to do Le Mans again.
“This was the best possible outcome for me.”
Thus far Hartley’s only had limited running in the TS050 HYBRID. He managed to turn laps in a test at Spa-Francorchamps last month, shaking down new parts, before getting a stint in at the Le Mans Test Day during the morning session.
“At Spa we did a shakedown for parts, we didn’t have correct tyres, we couldn’t use kerbs, but I got about 20 laps in. That allowed me to get used to the steering wheel, these modern LMP1 hybrids are so complicated and have completely different drivers’ manuals. I felt at home straight away.
“It was a real pleasure popping into the TS050 at Le Mans today, these 1000hp beasts are made for this circuit. The run plan was a short run, I wanted more but that wasn’t the case. I got a taste though, and it’s good to be back.”
Beyond today, Hartley will be kept busy by Toyota and the Porsche Formula E programme before the start of the 2019/20 WEC season, where he will race in Fernando Alonso’s current seat.
Between now and then, he will get plenty of track time in with his new team to ensure he’s fully up to speed before the opening round at Silverstone in August. He’s raring to go, with another Le Mans win and FIA WEC title to push for.
“It’s been strange to get a taste of Le Mans today knowing I probably won’t be driving here later this month,” he said. “But everything is good. It’s early days, I’ve been mainly watching and listening here at Le Mans, and I will do that too during race week.
“In terms of results next year, I want to do the best job I can, Le Mans win and a World Championship is the target. But first I have to get up to speed with the team.
“I have faith that the FIA WEC will continue to grow. There are rumours that some teams will pull out, and some teams will join, but I think the draw of Le Mans is so big that I’m sure things will turn around here soon. I’m happy to be back here, the future looks bright.”
Featured image courtesy of Toyota Gazoo Racing/James Moy