will watch the races very closely and support the team whenever I can,” said Kinoshita. “It is great to see the #1 on our car this year; our target is to retain it and win the Le Mans 24 Hours. This year, the challenge will be greater than ever with four LMP1 manufacturers all presenting different technical solutions. We have worked very hard to improve our TS040 HYBRID and testing results have been encouraging.”
Toshio Sato took over as TMG and Team President from 1 April, returning to TMG after several years as a Senior Engine Engineer during the F1 project. He brings vast experience of hybrid technology, having previously been responsible for TOYOTA and LEXUS hybrid system development.
As well as changes in personnel and technology for 2015, TOYOTA Racing has also adapted to revised regulations.
Teams are now limited to a maximum of five engines per car for the entire season, although none of the team’s cars exceeded this limit in any of the previous three seasons. Additional limits apply to tyre usage, with four sets of slicks allowed during practice and six for qualifying and the race, except in Bahrain and Shanghai where eight sets are permitted, while 11 sets are permitted during the Le Mans race.
New flexibility limits have been introduced for bodywork items such as the splitter, rear wing, diffuser and plank. As the average driver weight for both #1 and #2 crews is less than 80kg the car is also now subject to added ballast.
15 TOSHIO SATO
Role: Team President Born: 7 May 1963, Nagoya-city, Aichi, Japan
Career History 1987-1993 TOYOTA Motor Corporation, TS010 Engine Design Engineer
1994-1997 TOYOTA Racing Development, Champ Car Engine Development Engineer
1998-2002 TOYOTA Motor Corporation, Road Car Engine Design Engineer
2003-2007 TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH, F1 Engine Development Engineer
2008-2014 TOYOTA Motor Corporation, HV System Chief Engineer Road Car
2015- TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH, President
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