Toyota has underlined its determination to make amends after the heartbreaking last-lap mechanical failure that denied the Japanese manufacturer victory in last year’s Le Mans 24 Hour with the announcement that it will field an expanded three-car squad for the 2016 race.
In preparation for the Le Mans classic, the Toyota Gazoo Racing team will also run a third entry in May at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.
Team president Toshio Sato said entering three cars for Spa and Le Mans represented a new challenge for the team.
"We are working hard to be prepared and we are inspired to win," Mr Sato said.
The TS050 features significant upgrades to the hybrid powertrain, including the 2.4-litre twin-turbo direct-injection V6 petrol engine, motors/generators and batteries. Toyota's other two TS050s will compete in all nine rounds of this year's World Endurance Championship.
Stéphane Sarrazin, who has been a part of the Toyota WEC squad since its first season in 2012, heads the line up in the third car. His two co-drivers are yet to be named.
Argentinian sensation José María López will join the team alongside WEC race winners Mike Conway and former F1 star Kamui Kobayashi.
Toyota’s 2014 drivers' world champions Sébastien Buemi and Anthony Davidson will again team up with Kazuki Nakajima.
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