Kazuki Nakajima will make his final start for Toyota Gazoo Racing at this weekend’s Eight Hours of Bahrain, the team has announced.
Nakajima has been a part of the Japanese manufacturer’s line-up since the start of its LMP1 programme in 2012. The 36-year-old was subsequently part of Toyota’s first Le Mans victory in 2018 and would go on to claim two more wins in 2019 and 2020, as well as a World championship.
“The whole Toyota Gazoo Racing team thanks Kazuki for his immense contribution over the past 10 years, not only as a top driver, but as a trusted team-mate and loyal friend,” the team said in a statement.
“Although his WEC race career is at an end, Kazuki will always remain a member of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC family and the team hopes he will continue to contribute to its development in the future.”
Nakajima was one of Toyota’s longest-tenured drivers, with 58 race starts since 2012, collecting 16 victories.
“It has been an honour to compete for Toyota Gazoo Racing for nine seasons and I feel so lucky to have won races, championships and Le Mans 24 Hours alongside so many talented, passionate and dedicated colleagues,” said Nakajima.
“I want to express my greatest thanks to Toyota Gazoo Racing for this 10-year journey in WEC. I have so many memories with this team, who have been a family to me in tough times as well as in happy times, and I will always feel like a Toyota Gazoo Racing team member.
“A new era is coming for endurance racing, with many Hypercar manufacturers joining in the next years, and it will be a new era for me. I will continue to support the team and I look forward to watching the start of a new, exciting time for endurance racing.”
With Nakajima’s departure, a spot now opens up in the manufacturer’s line-up alongside Brendon Hartley and Sebastien Buemi.
Super GT champion Ryo Hirakawa is a possible candidate for the seat, having undergone multiple test with the GR010 Hybrid hypercar in 2021. Sebastien Ogier will also test the GR010 at this Sunday’s Bahrain rookie test.
Toyota says it will announce its 2022 line-up ‘in the coming weeks.’
