[WEC] Toyota Hypercar Discussion

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by KlBD

I have to say I disagree with the sentiment that Toyota's driver stable is lacking, considering they have an entire fleet of Super GT/Super Formula drivers that domestically compete in cars which are now essentially equivalent to the Le Mans top class in pace and weight, in what is arguably an even more difficult series to succeed in with open tire development and draconian success ballast, while regularly moonlighting in an open wheel series that is probably only second to Indycar in terms of non-F1 single seaters. I'm still disappointed that Nick Cassidy and Sacha Fenestraz are in Formula E rather than showing what they could do in a hypercar.

You may ask, then why did we not see more Super GT drivers in ACO series and vice versa? My view on that is for drivers, having full time programs in a country and culture so far removed from their own is not an easy choice to make, with the exception of longtime transplants like Ronnie Quintarelli or JP Oliveira, or guys like Kobayashi that went all in on F1.

1) If these amazing drivers cannot or will not make the move to LMH, then their driver roster is lacking. They effectively don't count for the purpose of TMG in ACO racing. It brings to mind the ill fate of Ishiura, who tested in the TS030 (or was it TS040?) and IIRC he almost put his back out trying to drive it at pace.

2) Sorry to say it as an avid SGT/SF fan, but the quality of drivers is lower than WEC LMH/LMDH, and probably IMSA too (a more relevant comparison as a national series). Success ballast actually masks this slightly - in the same way that the best drivers get pegged back, the worst drivers are pulled up.