Rumours have been doing the rounds for some time and Pascal Vasselon, manager of the former Toyota Formula 1 Team, was seen in the paddock of the Spa 1,000km in May and at Le Mans in June.

The programme has now been officially revealed and the Japanese carmaker will be back in endurance racing next year with a petrol/hybrid LMP1 prototype developed and designed by Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Cologne, Germany.

Toyota’s last appearance at Le Mans as a factory operation dates back to 1999 when the magnificent GT-One came second. Toyota has never previously won Le Mans, however, and it was no more successful in the F1 World Championship before the firm’s withdrawal at the end of 2009.

The 80th Le Mans 24 Hours is shaping up to be exceptional race, with the presence of Audi, Peugeot, Toyota and the Project 56 Deltawing, plus Porsche which is making preparations!

2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, LMP1, petrol/hybrid, Toyota