Toyota #7 trio gets it done!

Pole position in Formula 1 is half the job done these days but at Le Mans it amounts to mere bragging rights.

Toyota Gazoo Racing was always going to lead the field on Saturday, and the Japanese manufacture did indeed secure a front-row lock-out in qualifying on Thursday.

However, it was car #7 which took top spoils thanks to Kamui Kobayashi whose best time in the second qualifying session yesterday remained unbeaten in Q3.

As usual, the former Toyota, Sauber and Caterham F1 driver will share his TS050 Hybrid ride with Mike Conway and Jose Maria Lopez.

Kazuki Nakajima set the quickest time in the #8 car which he shares with Sebastien Buemi and Fernando Alonso and which will start Le Mans alongside its sister pole winning machine.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.