De Vries takes over Lopez’s seat in Toyota WEC squad

Toyota has confirmed that former AlphaTauri F1 driver Nyck de Vries will replace Jose Maria Lopez in the Japanese manufacturer’s Hypercar team for the 2024 World Endurance Championship.

De Vries stint with AlphaTauri in F1 failed to meet Red Bull’s expectations, which led to the rookie ceding his seat to Daniel Ricciardo in Hungary last summer.

But the Dutchman is a worthy addition to Toyota’s lineup, with the 28-year-old joining Kamui Kobayashi and Mike Conway at the wheel of the manufacturer’s #7 GR010 Hypercar machine.

After winning their second consecutive WEC title in Bahrain last month, Ryo Hirakawa, Brendon Hartley and Sebastien Buemi will continue to steer the #8 Toyota next season.

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“I am super excited to be returning to endurance racing, especially with Toyota Gazoo Racing,” said de Vries.

“Endurance racing is something that I have always enjoyed and it is a discipline with incredible momentum at the moment.

“I was with the team in a different role for a few years but never got the chance to race, so it is great that the time has now arrived, and I want to thank the team for their continuous support and faith in me.

“I am very much looking forward to sharing car #7 with both Mike and Kamui. They are both very talented drivers who achieved a lot, and I am sure we will make a great team.”

Although Lopez leaves Toyota’s the top-flight outfit, the Argentine driver will remain with the manufacturer as a representative of its Lexus affiliate in the LMGT3 category.

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