For only the fourth time in the 97-year history of the twice-round-the-clock motor race, it is not taking place in the month of June. The impact of the global pandemic forced the race’s postponement until the weekend of 19-20 September.
Here’s our guide to enjoying Toyota Gazoo Racing’s campaign in the famous race.
Toyota Gazoo Racing is aiming for a hat-trick of outright victories and has entered two TS050 Hybrids in the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Significantly, this is the final time the TS050 Hybrid prototype will compete at the Circuit de la Sarthe. The 1,000ps, four-wheel-drive racing thoroughbred came within two laps of victory on its 2016 debut, before winning back-to-back Le Mans in 2018 and 2019.
Now, with the LMP1 technical rules coming to an end, it takes on the challenge one last time, aiming for a hat-trick which would mean Toyota Gazoo Racing takes permanent possession of the current winners’ trophy.
Those achievements inspired the new GR Super Sport hypercar (below), so it was fitting that it made its public track debut moments before the race start. A customised development version completed a demonstration lap before returning the winners’ trophy just before the start.
Aside from ten laps around the six hour mark, #7 held the advantage at the front of the field, building a one lap lead by half distance. But shortly before 3:00am it suffered reduced power, forcing it into the garage. A damaged exhaust manifold was replaced in less than half an hour and Kamui re-joined in fourth place, six laps off the lead and four laps behind the third-placed #3 Rebellion.
The event will be broadcast live on Eurosport’s television channels.
Le Mans wouldn’t be what it is without the expert live commentary from the Radio Le Mans crew.
Toyota Gazoo Racing has partnered with race organiser the Automobile Club de l’Ouest to develop a new digital platform at 24h-united.com. It will deliver an immersive and engaging Le Mans 24 Hours experience to racing fans around the world, with a host of never-seen-before footage and special features being uploaded to the site from today (Wednesday 16 September).
Le Mans 24 Hours timetable
| Session | Date | Time (BST) |
| Free practice 1 (3hrs) | Thursday 17 September | 09:00 |
| Free practice 2 (3hrs) | Thursday 17 September | 13:00 |
| Qualification (45mins) | Thursday 17 September | 16:15 |
| Free practice 3 (4hrs) | Thursday 17 September | 19:00 |
| Free practice 4 (1hr) | Friday 18 September | 09:00 |
| Hyperpole (30mins) | Friday 18 September | 10:30 |
| Warm-up (15mins) | Saturday 19 September | 09:30 |
| Race start (24hrs) | Saturday 19 September | 13:30 |
Under the ‘Legends’ section of the platform, fans can enjoy a four-part mini-documentary on the 35-year love story between Toyota and Le Mans, from the pioneering days of the Toyota 85C in 1985 to TGR’s back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019. Watch the trailer here.
Find out how the two TGR teams fared at the race.
