This weekend will see TOYOTA GAZOO Racing driver and Kent’s Mike Conway begin his FIA World Endurance Championship campaign as the 2019/20 season kicks off with his home race – the 4 Hours of Silverstone.
| Following an outstanding 2018/19 campaign, which saw Mike and the #7 TS050 HYBRID car help TOYOTA secure the World Championship title whilst also finishing as runners-up in the Drivers’ Championship, the Prosperity Investment Management-sponsored driver will once again partner Kamui Kobayashi and José María López in the #7 as the trio bid to get the new season off to a positive start at the home of British motorsport. For the start of its fourth and final season, the TS050 HYBRIDs race car will compete with a high-downforce specification, giving a race debut to the new aerodynamic configuration which was also used during the Prologue test in Barcelona last month. This year’s Silverstone race is the first of the WEC’s modern era to be held over four hours, during which the leading cars will be expected to complete close to 800km on the 5.901km Grand Prix circuit.The drivers will be fighting to earn the Royal Automobile Club International Tourist Trophy, first awarded in 1905 and won by motorsport legends such as Sir Stirling Moss and Graham Hill. In last season’s WEC championship, Silverstone was one of only two races where Mike failed to finish in a podium position as the team, despite finishing second on the road, were disqualified due to a technical infringement – making the 36-year-old even more determined to reach the rostrum in this year’s season opener at his home race on the calendar. Mike’s rapid pace around his home circuit has been highlighted with his qualifying performances that have rewarded the #7 TOYOTA with pole position in the previous two visits to Silverstone. |
| “Silverstone is a special place for me, not only as my home race but because the track itself is really cool, with fast and flowing corners,” Conway said ahead of the weekend. “When you put together a fast lap there, it is very rewarding because it is so quick. It’s a really fun track, although traffic can be difficult there and you have to get your timing right. “There’s always a big crowd and I have family and friends supporting me, so I would love to finally win my home race; I’ve been close a few times but I hope this is the year.” Fans get their first chance to see the 2019-2020 WEC grid in action on Friday 30th August, with two 90-minute practice sessions. With qualifying taking place at 12:20 on Saturday lunchtime, prior to a midday start to Sunday’s race. |
TAGS: Mike Conway