The 2022 Sebring 1,000 Miles, the first round of the WEC, will go down in the history of the event for being the first race since 2020 without a Toyota on top of the podium. It will be the race in which the Alpine A480, an old and renowned LMP1 that once wore the colors of Rebellion, beat the Toyota GR010 Hybrid. Some will even speak of ‘THE PLAN’ (B), since beyond Toyota’s notable anger, the particular performance adjustment of the new ‘BoP’ will not transcend excessively.
In fact, the serious and hair-raising accident of ‘Pechito’ López will be the reason given to explain the defeat of Toyota Gazoo Racing in Sebring. And although it is true that the Argentine ruined the options that the Japanese brand could have to prevail in the 1,000 Miles, because he seems determined to agree with the multiple detractors of him, the truth is that there is much more fabric to cut . The best part is that ‘Pechito’ López does not have to regret any type of injury after his serious mishap.
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ran lap 111 of the 268 that the race at Sebring was scheduled for when José María ‘Pechito’ López made an almost beginner’s mistake when he doubled one of the Porsches of the LMGTE-Am category. The Argentine moved too quickly to the right with the Toyota GR010 Hybrid when overtaking Julien Andlauer’s GTE, causing a contact between the two cars. López could not avoid the spin, also hitting the barriers. An event that, beyond the notable error of ‘Pechito’, can even be considered ‘normal’.
However, not so much the decision of ‘Pechito’ López to continue his way to the pits at high speed to rush his chances of victory with a Toyota GR010 Hybrid that seemed to have damage to both the rear tire and the steering. In turn 14 ‘Pechito’ went straight against the tire protections in a chilling accident which left the Toyota Hybrid LMH on its side, flat-bottomed to the sky. Fortunately, the Argentine pilot left the vehicle unharmed by his own foot.
With this López accident, the #7 Toyota driver line-up begins the defense of the title they achieved in the 2021 season in the worst possible way the WEC, victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans included. Although the trio formed by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and ‘Pechito’ himself are looking for their third consecutive title, the truth is that this accident is a serious setback, both for the team and for ‘Pechito’ himself, increasingly questioned despite the successes achieved.
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Photos: Toyota Gazoo Racing