Unsurprisingly, Toyota confirmed it would remain the World Endurance Championship's main contender in LMP1 next year.

After Porsche's retreat from the series, there had initially been doubts about the Japanese manufacturer's sustained involvement, but at last night's season awards ceremony in Bahrain, Toyota Gazoo Racing's Team president, Hisatake Murata, confirmed its commitment to the WEC.

Toyota won five races this season, including the final three races of the 2017 campaign.

Victory at the coveted Le Mans 24 Hours was once again snatched by arch-rival Porsche however, a defeat which likely fueled Toyota's decision to extend its involvement in the WEC.

Obviously, it will line up at Le Mans next year as the grand favourite, and perhaps armed with the talent of one Fernando Alonso who tested for the team yesterday in Bahrain.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Perez reveals how he became Force India's unlikely saviour

Sergio Perez has revisited one of the most extraordinary off-track stories of his Formula 1…

13 hours ago

FIA expands straight-line mode at Spa – as Alonso sounds warning

Formula 1’s return to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend will introduce a striking new element to the…

14 hours ago

McLaren set for Mercedes engine upgrade at Spa and rear-wing trial

McLaren will arrive at the Belgian Grand Prix with a fresh opportunity to reset its…

16 hours ago

Michael bows to Mika on British GP podium

On this day in 2001 at the British GP at Silverstone, Formula 1 fans were…

17 hours ago

Bearman moved to tears after driving Senna’s iconic Lotus

The Silverstone pitlane has borne witness to countless moments of motorsport history, but recently, it…

18 hours ago

Steiner: Time for McLaren to ‘grow up’ and build its own engine

McLaren’s search for answers in Formula 1 has once again turned the spotlight onto its…

20 hours ago