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 the beginning 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, primarily based 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 Competition of Velocity, with Haas Method 1 duo Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman driving the Toyota GT Racing Idea up the well-known hillclimb.
Nevertheless, the producer has been silent in regards to the challenge for the reason that Goodwood outing, providing no indication of when the brand new automotive may make its aggressive debut within the WEC or some other GT3 championship.
Its LMGT3 outfit ASP, although, is relaxed in regards to the state of affairs, with staff 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
Photograph by: James Sutton / LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
“This winter, we’ll work [on the Lexus], if we preserve this automotive, as a result of there’s a new automotive coming. The automotive has accomplished many assessments,” Policand advised Motorsport.com.
“On our aspect, we do not know for subsequent season if we’ll 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 trustworthy, each options shall be OK. It is all the time good to have a brand new automotive as a result of you understand there’s a sturdy potential. However then again, we proved that the Lexus continues to be aggressive, and we’re used to this automotive.
“I hope we can have a choice earlier than the tip of the yr, however it’s in Toyota’s arms.”
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 mentioned the RC F GT3’s upswing in efficiency has eased any hesitation about conserving the automotive for an additional yr.
#87 Akkodis Asp Group Lexus RC F LMGT3: Petru Umbr?rescu, Clemens Schmid, Jose Maria Lopez
Photograph by: AG Photograph – Daniele Paglino
Requested if it could nonetheless be doable for Toyota to roll out its new GT3 contender subsequent yr, he replied: “We aren’t a works staff, [but] now we 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 fearful final yr as a result of after the season, I mentioned, ‘I would like a brand new automotive.’ However now I am in a way more snug state of affairs. When you understand you will 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 shall be okay [for 2026].”
The 61-year-old additionally pressured that the RC F GT3 is just not an outdated mannequin, with Toyota having carried out a significant replace forward of the 2024 season to adjust to the LMGT3 laws.
“Everybody says the Lexus is an outdated automotive, as a result of the idea is from 2015, so 10 years outdated. However, for the WEC, as a result of now we 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 need for ASP to return to GT World Problem Europe in 2027, however pressured that the WEC will stay its major programme subsequent yr. It is going to additionally proceed to have a presence within the GT4 enviornment in 2026.
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