Second-row start at Spa for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will start round two of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) from the second row of the grid following a close qualifying session for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

Less than four tenths of a second separated the top four around the 7.004km circuit as the Hypercars did battle in Belgium. Kamui Kobayashi, in the #7 GR010 HYBRID he shares with Mike Conway and José María López, was third fastest, only 0.316secs behind the pole-position Glickenhaus. 

Brendon Hartley was just 0.050secs behind the sister car as he finished fourth in the #8 GR010 HYBRID he drives alongside Sébastien Buemi and Ryo Hirakawa. 

“It’s great to see competition so close, and all the Hypercars covered by just 0.3secs,” commented Hartly. “It’s obviously annoying to come out fourth but we are still aiming for the victory, no question.

“Set-up-wise we went a little bit the wrong way and had too much oversteer, which made it a tricky car to drive. It was also a scrappy session and I had to back off on my first lap when I got a little too close to another car in front. I think we could be in for a great race. If we can do a perfect race, with consistency, great pit stops and strategy, we can fight for victory.” 

The 10-minute qualifying session started in bright evening sunshine and both cars immediately left the pit lane when the green flags flew. With fuel for three flying laps, both cars used their first timed efforts to generate the optimal tyre temperature. 

Their second flying laps turned out to be the fastest for both Kamui and Brendon. When no improvement was seen early in the third lap, the two GR010 HYBRIDs returned to the pits for the final moments of the session. 

The chequered flag confirmed a second-row start for Saturday’s six-hour contest. The race begins at 1pm local time and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will draw on its experience, strategy and fighting spirit to challenge for victory.