Toyota has denied it’s “sandbagging” at Spa after each its vehicles didn’t get into Q2 in Friday’s World Endurance Championship qualifying.
The Japanese producer may solely handle the Twelfth- and Sixteenth-fastest occasions in qualifying, simply three weeks after it claimed its fiftieth WEC victory at Imola.
The sharp distinction in efficiency between the 2 circuits is placing, however Floury stresses that there is no such thing as a query of the group intentionally operating slower to disguise the automotive’s true tempo. So near the Le Mans 24 Hours, and with Spa thought to be a gown rehearsal for the French traditional, such an strategy may theoretically assist safe a extra beneficial Steadiness of Efficiency for La Sarthe
“There are alternative ways to take a look at qualifying and Hyperpole,” Floury informed the media together with Motorsport.com. “It’s clearly disappointing. It additionally raises some considerations wanting forward. However alternatively, I can already think about that there might be ideas that we’re sandbagging.
“However in the event you take a look at it objectively, in comparison with qualifying and Hyperpole final yr, we’re considered one of solely two producers — who have been right here final yr and are nonetheless right here this yr — to enhance our lap time.
Final yr, Toyota’s quickest qualifying lap was a 2m01.908s, whereas this yr that improved to a 2m01.592s.
“Whereas we improved our lap time by three tenths, the common goes slower by three tenths,” Floury added. “Relative to the sector, we’re six tenths sooner.”
“And we have seen additionally the switch between right here and Le Mans final yr. So it positively exhibits that we’re not sandbagging. And I believe it additionally raises some considerations, wanting forward, not figuring out what to anticipate from it.”
Neither Toyota managed to achieve the Hyperpole at Spa.
Photograph by: Paul Foster
Monitor traits
As an alternative, Floury primarily pointed to the traits of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Whereas Imola options many slower and medium-speed corners, Spa is dominated by high-speed turns.
“The attribute of the observe would not appear to go well with our automotive, sadly,” he admitted. “Sadly, they’re fairly near Le Mans.”
Requested what precisely doesn’t go well with the Toyota TR010 Hybrid, Floury replied: “In all probability the character of the corners. The way in which the automotive behaves in these corners might be to not our strongest level.”
Floury additionally famous that Kamui Kobayashi delivered a “very sturdy lap” within the #7 Toyota.
“From automotive potential I do not assume there’s rather more we are able to extract,” stated the Frenchman.
“In all probability one tenth to at least one and a half, however not rather more than this.”
All in all, Floury nonetheless believes the replace package deal on the automotive. with the transition from the GR010 to the TR010, has delivered a step ahead. “Now we have a greater package deal, however we nonetheless have to work and to maintain pushing.”
Learn extra:
We wish your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Staff
