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Confidential sources within our Club Lexus community have learned that Toyota plans to re-enter Formula One during the 2015 race year under the Lexus banner. Toyota last raced in Formula One in 2009 claiming that the series was not in touch with their customer base (the financial and economic outlook was also broadly cited as a factor).
In December 2012, Toyota executives hinted that they might reconsider that decision (interviews with Toyota Managing Officer Kiyotaka Ise about hybrids in both WRC and Le Mans 24-hour racing) and we’ve learned that that decision to re-enter Formula One under the Lexus banner is all but finalized. Lexus has been selected over Toyota because of the premium branding, Lexus’ performance vehicle development such as the LF-A model, and the brand’s focus on hybrid vehicles throughout their product line.
Yes, did that before posting. Still curious why the rumors were so confident and if there were any updates between 2013 and now on and why a Lexus F1 program never materialized.
Yes, did that before posting. Still curious why the rumors were so confident and if there were any updates between 2013 and now on and why a Lexus F1 program never materialized.
DaveGS4 means the April 1st part of the article date.
More than once our April 1 stuff has come true or hit close to the mark, so you never know! Although with Honda's ongoing struggles in F1 as a reemergence example, I think that would cause significant pause.
April fools or not, F1 is pointless and boring, unless your fav car brand wins most of the time. Not all the time, cuz that would be boring too. Some or most of the time is fine. Then again, road courses are boring with all the actions scattered.
While the F1 rumor was false, Toyota Gazoo is in fact fielding 3 cars at the 24hrs of Le Mans this year with the TS050 (after last years final minutes slip-up that gave Porsche the victory). The super racecar utilizes a 2.4L TTV6 producing 493hp and a total of 986 total system hp with the hybrid supercapacitor system. Lexus's upcoming 3.5L V6TT was derived from Toyota's racing program, albeit with some changes for refinement and reliability / day to day standpoints.
Toyota always seems to have very bad luck in racing vs other brands.
Are you sure about that? Won Nascar last year, the driver's championship the year before, they beat Chevy and Ford. Won the first race of the season in the FIA WEC (endurance) with the car shown above, they beat Porsche. Won a race in the WRC (rally) this season in their first year back since the late 90's, they beat Hyundai, Ford and Citroen. Won the first two races in Japanese Super GT, beat Nissan and Honda.
I think you should check just what Toyota races and how it succeeds.
Are you sure about that? Won Nascar last year, the driver's championship the year before, they beat Chevy and Ford. Won the first race of the season in the FIA WEC (endurance) with the car shown above, they beat Porsche. Won a race in the WRC (rally) this season in their first year back since the late 90's, they beat Hyundai, Ford and Citroen. Won the first two races in Japanese Super GT, beat Nissan and Honda.
I think you should check just what Toyota races and how it succeeds.
Their racecars are top performers, mostly. Look how they almost won the 24hrs of LeMans only to lose it at the very end with freak accidents or problems. It took them almost a decade if not more to finally win at Nascar. That's not to say they dont win, but they generally do not dominate. At least with Honda, one can pinpoint a time in F1 history where they were all conquering. Honestly, I dont really car. I watch Nascar because of Toyota and the entertainment value with the crashes and potential fights at the end of the race.
04-29-17, 09:25 PM
What ever happened to the almost certain Lexus F1 rumor?
. That one went far and wide...
