Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso will pursue new motorsport challenges following the 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours, handing over his place in the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) to Brendon Hartley.
Fernando, who will explore new motorsport adventures within the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing family, will conclude his time in WEC when he and his World Championship-leading team-mates Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima defend the Le Mans crown they won together last June.
New Zealander Brendon, who became a two-time WEC champion and 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours winner during four seasons with Porsche prior to a stint in Formula 1, will begin the transition when he makes his first public appearance behind the wheel of a TS050 HYBRID at the Le Mans test day on 2 June.
“A big thanks to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing for giving me this opportunity,” commented Hartley. “I know how professional and motivated this team is following my years competing against them in WEC, so I am fired up and am very happy to be joining them.
“I believe I am returning to WEC an even stronger driver following my experience in Formula 1 and I look forward to getting on track and building a strong relationship with my new team. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the TS050 HYBRID; the first tests can’t come soon enough.”
Brendon will join Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, José María López, Sébastien and Kazuki as a race driver for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in WEC next season, which begins on 1 September at Silverstone and concludes on 14 June 2020 at Le Mans. The driver line-up of each TS050 HYBRID will be confirmed later.
The WEC team expresses its sincere thanks to Fernando for the valuable contribution he has made to an historic and unforgettable season for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and wishes him an exciting and successful future.
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