Fernando Alonso tried Toyota TS050 Hybrid in the FIA WEC Rookie Test
The annual FIA WEC Rookie Test took place today at the Bahrain International Circuit as a conclusion of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship season, a day after the final race of the season on the same circuit.
Among the rookies was also a driver who has two world championship titles on his account. The former two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso joined Toyota Gazoo Racing to try the Toyota TS050 Hybrid alongside Toyota regulars Mike Conway and Sebastien Buemi.
Alonso will start his sports car racing endurance career in January 2018 at Daytona 24 Hours with United Autosports, but he’s also interested to participate at Le Mans 24 Hours sometimes. Today’s test was a perfect opportunity for Alonso to try LMP1 machinery. He completed a total of 113 laps in the #8 car. He set the best lap of 1.43.013.
Alonso was driving the #8 Toyota TS050 Hybrid during the FIA WEC rookie test
Another test driver in Toyota garage was rising endurance star Thomas Laurent (19), who scored three LMP2 class wins this season with Jackie Chan DC Racing’s Oreca, including a victory at Le Mans 24 Hours. He completed 31 laps in the#7 Toyota TS050 Hybrid. His best lap time was 1.43.273.
“It was a great day. Testing an LMP1 car is always a nice thing for any racing driver because these cars are amazing to drive. They are very consistent throughout a stint which is a positive thing. I have wanted to test a car like this for a long time now and today I could achieve that so I am happy,” Fernando Alonso said.
Pietro Fittipaldi and Porshe LMP Team principal Andreas Seidl
A total of fourteen cars participated today in the Rookie test. Porsche LMP Team was running one car with newly crowned World Series Formula V8 3.5 champion Pietro Fittipaldi. He completed 32 laps on what was the 919 Hybrid’s last appearance in a FIA WEC event.
Six LMP2 car were on the track, four LMGTE Pro and one LMGTE Am car. Among the LMP2 cars was the championship-winning Vaillante Rebellion Oreca, driven by World Series Formula V8 vice-champion Matevos Isaakyan.
Photos: Toyota, Porsche,
