Drivers Nakajima, Alonso share Toyota on provisional pole at Le Mans motor racing

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Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima put the Toyota he shares with double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso on provisional pole for the 24 Hours of Le Mans sportscar race on Wednesday night.

Nakajima lapped the dry Sarthe circuit with a fastest time of three minutes 17.270 seconds in the first two-hour night-time qualifying session.

June 13, 2018: The Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid driver Kazuki Nakajima of Japan is interviewed by the media prior to practice for the Le Mans 24 Hour race in Le Mans, France. /VCG Photo

Toyota, now the only major manufacturer entered in the top LMP1 category after champions Porsche quit, have only themselves to beat but can take nothing for granted after losing out in 2017 due to unreliability.

The Japanese team are seeking their first win at the 20th attempt to become only the second Japanese marque after Mazda to triumph in the endurance classic.

The Spaniard is combining a full Formula One and world endurance season and arrived at the French circuit straight from competing in last Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix for McLaren.

June 13, 2018: Fernando Alonso and the Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid team practice pit stops prior to practice for the Le Mans 24 Hour race at the Circuit de la Sarthe on in Le Mans, France. /VCG Photo

Alonso, who has also won the Monaco Grand Prix as well as Formula One titles, is aiming to complete the "Triple Crown of Motorport" and needs to win Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500 to do so.

Frenchman Stephane Sarrazin was third fastest in the number 17 SMP Racing BR1 non-hybrid car with a lap of 3:19.483 while Brazilian Bruno Senna was fourth in the number one Rebellion R13 entry.

The non-hybrid LMP1 cars are lighter but thirstier, requiring more and longer pitstops than the Toyotas.

Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula One champion, also completed his night laps in the number 11 SMP Racing BR1 that was seventh fastest.

Source(s): Reuters