Toyota also joins 2020/21 WEC hypercar rage!

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After the announcement on Friday morning of Aston Martin's Valkyrie Le Mans bid, Toyota followed suit in the afternoon with the unveiling of its own WEC hypercar contender.

Toyota Gazoo Racing will take part in the 2020/21 endurance season with a hybrid-powered prototype based on its GR Super Sport road car.

The streamlined hypercar design - the name of which will be revealed at a later date - is still in development at the Japanese manufacturer's technical centres in Toyota City, Higashi-Fuji and Cologne.

Gazoo Racing Company president Shigeki Tomoyama hopes the WEC's new regulations will bring about a new golden age of endurance racing.

"For Toyota Gazoo Racing, this new era of competition is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate our credentials not only as a race team against some of the best in the business, but also as a sportscar manufacturer," said Tomoyama.

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.