David Floury, technical director at Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe, offered a measured assessment of their victory at the Imola 6 Hours, emphasizing strategy over raw pace. Despite Ferrari’s faster lap times, Toyota clinched the win through superior planning and execution. Floury acknowledged the GR010’s performance gap compared to Ferrari’s 499P LMH, expressing dissatisfaction with the difference.
He praised Kamui Kobayashi’s performance in the final stint, where he had to conserve fuel while fending off a Porsche. Kobayashi’s skillful management secured victory in challenging conditions. Floury lauded the team’s flawless execution and Kobayashi’s brilliance in sealing the win.
Ferrari initially dominated the race but fell victim to tactical errors, including a late switch to wet-weather tires. These mistakes, compounded by communication issues, allowed Toyota to seize the opportunity and claim victory. Ferrari admitted to misjudging weather forecasts and failing to execute planned strategies effectively.
Toyota’s success comes after a lackluster performance in the WEC season-opener in Qatar, signaling a turnaround in fortunes. However, Floury hinted at ongoing performance gaps in the Hypercar class, citing disparities in straight-line speed among competitors. He stressed the need for further balance of performance adjustments to level the playing field.
Floury discussed the potential introduction of “power gain,” a new component in the BoP aimed at equalizing performance in the Hypercar class. This system adjusts maximum power figures above 210km/h to align acceleration and top speeds. Its implementation timeline remains uncertain pending decisions from the FIA and ACO.
Floury highlighted Toyota’s strategic victory at Imola, underscoring the importance of meticulous planning and driver skills in overcoming challenges. While celebrating the win, he remained mindful of ongoing performance discrepancies in the Hypercar class and the potential impact of forthcoming BoP adjustments.