The Official Anthony Davidson Website

TOYOTA PHOTOGRAPHED AT SPA

Following a major setback in testing a few weeks ago, Toyota Racing was forced to pull out of its debut at the second round of the World Endurance Championship at Spa this weekend (3-5 May). However, the team still visited the legendary track with the hybrid TS030 for a photo-shoot.

Toyota Racing is en-route to a test in France, as part of its preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June - a two-car assault that will also now be the team's racing debut.

The team's plans had been affected after a significant crash in testing which damaged the first TS030 monocoque, meaning production of the second car had to be accelerated. Unfortunately, with no time for testing of the aerodynamic and hybrid system specifications intended for its first race, Toyota Racing had no option but to pull out of the Spa round of the WEC.

For more information on Toyota Racing and the TS030 visit www.toyotahybridracing.com

LOCATION: Spa Francorchamps, Belgium.

ANTHONY CONFIRMED AT TOYOTA RACING

TOYOTA Racing today confirmed that Anthony Davidson, along with Hiroaki Ishiura and Sébastien Buemi, will drive its additional TS030 HYBRID car (#8) at the Le Mans 24 Hours, which takes place on 16/17 June 2012.

The team’s full-time entry in the FIA World Endurance Championship is for one car (#7), with an additional TS030 HYBRID confirmed for Le Mans on 16-17 June.

Anthony was originally due to contest the full World Endurance championship in 2012 with Peugeot Sport, but was left without a drive after they decided to end their racing programme in January.

The driver line-up for the regular TS030 HYBRID which will participate in the FIA World Endurance Championship from the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (5 May) onwards is already confirmed as Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima. Andrea Caldarelli is the team’s junior driver.

Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Team President: “This is an exciting driver line-up for our additional car. Anthony, Hiroaki and Sébastien are talented and intelligent drivers who have achieved plenty already in motorsport, so we are very confident they can make a positive contribution to TOYOTA Racing. Our drivers are selected on the basis not only of their speed and consistency, but also their ability to work well within a team and it’s been great to see the positive attitude all three have already brought to our project. Combined with our regular line-up of Alex, Nicolas and Kazuki, I believe we have a really strong team of drivers who will fly the TOYOTA Racing flag with pride during the Le Mans 24 Hours.”

Anthony Davidson: “I’m really happy to be a part of the TOYOTA Racing team, and delighted to be returning to Le Mans this year. Competing at the Le Mans 24 Hours is always hugely exciting, but to be joining a team like TOYOTA Racing and competing with a hybrid powertrain makes this particularly special. I’ve heard a lot about the TS030 HYBRID and the technology behind it, and I’m looking forward to experiencing hybrid power for the first time in my career. I know this is a learning year for the team but I believe TOYOTA Racing has huge potential, and I hope we can prove that at Le Mans.”

www.toyotahybridracing.com

LOCATION: Cologne, Germany.

PEUGEOT ENDS ITS ENDURANCE PROGRAMME

After 14 victories in the last 16 races, and having won the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) championship two years running in 2010 and 2011, the Brand has decided to close its 2012 endurance programme and will not be taking part in the next Le Mans 24 Hours.

Anthony was part of the winning ILMC Peugeot team, winning more races over the two years of its existence than any other driver in the championship, and was due to contest the new World Endurance Championship with the team in 2012.

The company say this move is to ensure the success of its numerous launches in 2012.

This decision has been taken against the backdrop of the challenging economic environment in Europe coupled with a particularly busy year for the Brand in terms of new vehicle launches. In this context, Peugeot prefers to concentrate its 2012 resources on its commercial performance and, in particular, ensuring the successful launches of the 208, 3008 HYbrid4, 508 RXH, 508 HYbrid4 and 4008 which will take forward the Brand's strategy of moving upmarket and extending its global presence.

LOCATION: Paris, France