2023-06-12 07:00:00
To mark the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the most renowned endurance race in the world, Toyota boss Akio Toyoda presented the prototype of the hydrogen vehicle GR H2 Racing Concept for the first time. The hydrogen-powered racing car might be officially launched in a few years. The chances for a future race are not bad. Finally, the French automobile club ACO, which is also the organizer of the 24-hour race in Le Mans, is planning to include a new vehicle class for fuel cells or hydrogen-powered racing cars in the regulations from 2026.
The Japanese are still reluctant to provide detailed information regarding their GR H2 Racing Concept. What is certain, however, is that the concept study is equipped with a combustion engine that runs exclusively on hydrogen. The study is also supported by a hybrid system. As a result, the racing car used later would no longer emit CO2, since only water vapor escaped from its exhaust. Toyota has been gaining racing experience with a hydrogen-powered Corolla, which is used in Asian racing series, since 2021.
The prototype was presented to visitors in the “H2 Village” as part of the 100th anniversary of this year’s 24-hour race. The ultra-slim concept study leaves a beefy impression. The two voluminous hydrogen tanks under the side panels can be seen to the left and right of the central cockpit. The wide fin behind the driver and the powerful rear wing also show that the development of the concept study is well advanced. The use of a hydrogen racing car that later resulted from this should therefore already be considered a given at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
At this year’s race at the Circuit de la Sarthe, however, Toyota was unlucky. The Japanese have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times in a row since 2018. The Japanese manufacturer was also the big favorite at this year’s anniversary edition, having dominated the previous races of the WEC racing series. Due to a change in the regulations, the favored hypercars had to start with additional weights, which was the highest for the currently used GR010 Hybrid at 37 kilograms. Overall victory went to Ferrari this year, the Toyota driver pairing with Ryo Hirakawa, Brendon Hartley and Sebastien Buemi at the wheel took second place. (aum/gb)
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