ASP is ready to marketing campaign the Lexus RC F GT3 for an additional season within the World Endurance Championship, with Toyota providing no readability on when its next-generation GT3 challenger will lastly seem.
Lengthy-time Mercedes buyer ASP joined forces with Toyota at first of the WEC’s LMGT3 period final yr, fielding a heavily-revised model of the long-running RC F GT3.
A alternative for the ageing Lexus has been within the works for a number of years, with Toyota asserting again in 2023 {that a} new mannequin, based mostly on the GR Idea, can be prepared for GT3 competitors in 2026.
Earlier this yr, the Japanese producer showcased the automotive in each its road-going and race trims on the Goodwood Pageant of Velocity, with Haas Components 1 duo Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman driving the Toyota GT Racing Idea up the well-known hillclimb.
Nevertheless, because the Goodwood outing, the producer has been silent in regards to the undertaking, providing no indication of when the brand new automotive might make its aggressive debut within the WEC or every other GT3 championship.
Its LMGT3 outfit ASP, although, is relaxed in regards to the state of affairs, with crew boss Jerome Policand making it clear he would don’t have any qualms about extending the RC F GT3’s run into a 3rd season.
Oliver Bearman, TOYOTA GT Idea
Picture by: James Sutton / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
“This winter, we are going to work [on the Lexus], if we maintain this automotive, as a result of there’s a new automotive coming. The automotive has performed many exams,” Policand instructed Motorsport.com.
“On our facet, we do not know for subsequent season if we are going to run the brand new automotive or the Lexus. It is nonetheless a Toyota [no matter what]. There’s a homologation course of [that Toyota needs to go through].
“To be sincere, each options might be OK. It is all the time good to have a brand new automotive as a result of you recognize there’s a sturdy potential. However alternatively, we proved that the Lexus remains to be aggressive, and we’re used to this automotive.
“I hope we may have a choice earlier than the tip of the yr, however it’s in Toyota’s palms.”
ASP, which has claimed titles in GT World Problem Europe and scored victories in main endurance races such because the Spa 24 Hours, endured a tricky begin to life with the Lexus RC F GT3 in 2024. Its two crews failed to interrupt into the top-five all yr, ending sixteenth and 18th within the standings.
Nevertheless, the French squad hit its stride this yr, with Jose Maria Lopez, Razvan Umbrarescu and Clemens Schmid profitable the Sao Paulo 6 Hours and the Bahrain finale within the #87 Lexus to complete third within the championship.
Policand stated the RC F GT3’s upswing in efficiency has eased any hesitation about retaining the automotive for an additional yr.
#87 Akkodis Asp Group Lexus RC F LMGT3: Petru Umbr?rescu, Clemens Schmid, Jose Maria Lopez
Picture by: AG Picture – Daniele Paglino
Requested if it might nonetheless be potential for Toyota to roll out its new GT3 contender subsequent yr, he replied: “We aren’t a works crew, [but] we now have a robust relationship with Toyota.
“In the event that they requested me to run the Lexus, I [would] drive the Lexus. In the event that they ask me [to run the new car, I would run the new car].
“I used to be a bit frightened final yr as a result of after the season, I stated, ‘I want a brand new automotive.’ However now I am in a way more snug state of affairs. When you recognize you could be aggressive [it is easier].
“Within the close to future, we’d like a brand new automotive – for patrons, for different championships. However each options might be okay [for 2026].”
The 61-year-old additionally harassed that the RC F GT3 isn’t an outdated mannequin, with Toyota having carried out a significant replace forward of the 2024 season to adjust to the LMGT3 rules.
“Everybody says the Lexus is an previous automotive, as a result of the idea is from 2015, so 10 years previous. However, for the WEC, as a result of we now have to respect the aero window of the FIA, Toyota and TGR needed to redesign the entrance of the automotive, the splitter and the sidepod,” he clarified.
Policand additionally outlined a want for ASP to return to GT World Problem Europe in 2027, however harassed that the WEC will stay its main programme subsequent yr. It would additionally proceed to have a presence within the GT4 enviornment in 2026.
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