Despite having completed the 2025 race without any need for repairs, the GR YARIS DAT crew recognized that there was still room for further improvement and set out to explore new territory. Reflecting these efforts, Car No. 109, under the leadership of Chief Engineer Hisatomi, received aggressive updates focused on the powertrain, aerodynamics, and a wider track. At the second round of the NLS in March, the car achieved a lap time approximately 10 seconds faster than last year\u2019s specification.
In qualifying, all drivers completed the required laps, finalizing preparations for the race itself.
On the day of the race, Morizo addressed the team during the morning meeting:
\u201cLast year, we returned to the N\u00fcrburgring in the GR YARIS as a return to our roots. This year, we\u2019re continuing that momentum to take on this challenge once again. There\u2019s no need to get swept up in the N\u00fcrburgring\u2019s signature exhilaration or its unique atmosphere. Don\u2019t get overly nervous; just focus on executing everything we\u2019ve been working on. From the end of last year\u2019s race until today, the entire team has worked together to make the car, make the people, and build our physical and mental strength. The results of these efforts will be put to the test when the race starts at 3pm. If someone is in trouble, speak up. If there\u2019s something you can do to help, do it. If someone helps you, thank them. It is that simple, thorough dedication that creates a true One Team. The weather is looking uncertain this year, so let\u2019s fight through the 24 hours with health and safety as our absolute priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Things don\u2019t always go as planned at the N\u00fcrburgring<\/p>\n
As the race began, even as top-tier cars dropped out one after another in the chaos, Car No. 109 completed its laps without incident, aside from a crack in the front windshield. Ishiura chased down faster competitors with a strong performance before handing the wheel over to Morizo. His smooth driving style, inherited from the late Hiromu Naruse, was broadcast to the world via the official camera feed.
Daisuke, who took over next, also delivered steady laps. After handing over the wheel to Oshima, the car encountered issues such as wiper malfunctions, a faulty speed limiter button, and a flat tire, but the team addressed them promptly and made it through the night.
However, as dawn broke around 6am, Oshima reported that \u201cthe car is vibrating and feels off,\u201d prompting a pit stop. As time was needed to pinpoint the cause, General Manager Sekiya asked himself, \u201cWhat would Mr. Naruse do?\u201d and decided on the most reliable course of action: a complete replacement of the engine and driveline. Morizo also encouraged the team with the words, \u201ctake your time, be certain, and prioritize safety,\u201d and the team got to work.
Despite working under limited conditions, the team completed the replacement in about three hours and returned to the track approximately seven hours after the issue occurred. Morizo took the wheel for the final stint. Navigating difficult conditions with a mix of dry and wet track sections, he drove hard under Sasaki\u2019s lead, completing eight laps before crossing the finish line.
Though the team ultimately completed 77 laps, they did not meet the race\u2019s finishing criteria, and the official result was recorded as DNC*. This 24-hour race was filled with frustration, far from the satisfying performance of last year. However, it also taught profound lessons on the fundamental importance of taking on the N\u00fcrburgring: \u201ckeep driving, repairing, and pushing forward.\u201d
Next year marks the 20th anniversary of GR taking on the N\u00fcrburgring. The team will continue its journey to make ever-better cars in order to transform this year\u2019s disappointment into confidence.<\/p>\n
* Did Not Classify<\/p>\n
\u00a0Post-race comments<\/p>\n
Morizo
This is our second year competing as TGRR. Last year, we were blessed with exceptionally favorable conditions, but this year things didn\u2019t go as planned\u2014and this frustration is what the N\u00fcrburgring is all about. Looking back at past races at the N\u00fcrburgring, there were years when we suffered engine damage or were unable to drive for over 10 hours. However, the true meaning of taking on the N\u00fcrburgring lies in overcoming those setbacks and making a comeback. I\u2019m certain this ordeal will prove valuable someday, and I want to tell Mr. Naruse that the whole team gained valuable experience. During my final stint, I drove with the mindset that my mission was to reliably see the car, which the team had worked tirelessly to repair, through to the finish. By completing eight laps, I also confirmed that I\u2019ve built up the endurance to execute a single stint effectively. I\u2019m now 70 years old, but this isn\u2019t the end. TGRR will continue to take on the N\u00fcrburgring with unwavering determination. Seeing things through is also at the root of the N\u00fcrburgring.<\/p>\n
Toshiyuki Sekiya: GM
This race was an extremely grueling affair, like the toughest races we\u2019ve experienced in the past. As vehicle performance has improved, new challenges and issues emerged that we hadn\u2019t encountered before. However, some of these issues could have been avoided with proper preparation, so there is still plenty of room for improvement moving forward. During the race, we made the decision to completely replace all driveline parts; this was a judgment call to avoid stopping on the track and prioritize taking immediate action to resolve the situation. I am deeply grateful that, in response to this decision, every member of the team shared the strong, common resolve to get the car running at all costs and took action swiftly and proactively.<\/p>\n
Kei Hisatomi: Lead Engineer
Looking back on this race, I can\u2019t help but think of all the things I could have done better, the issues I should have spotted beforehand, and the areas where I could have pushed even harder. To be honest, I\u2019m so frustrated I could cry. I truly relied on everyone\u2019s support during this race. We had conducted numerous tests beforehand and thought we had accumulated plenty of data, but unexpected issues arose during the actual race, and I truly realized that this is where the N\u00fcrburgring\u2019s true terror lies. However, I know I\u2019ll have regrets if I just let things end like this, so I\u2019m determined to make a car that can conquer the N\u00fcrburgring and get my revenge someday.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Qualifying ResultOverall positionClass positionTeamVehicleCar No.Qualifying Time961TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE RacingGR YARIS1099’38.4Race ResultOverall positionClass positionTeamVehicleCar No.LapsDNC*1DNC*1TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE RacingGR YARIS10977Team setupTeamCar No.ClassVehicleDriversGMChief MechanicLead EngineerTOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing109SP2TGR YARISMorizoDaisuke ToyodaHiroaki IshiuraKazuya OshimaToshiyuki SekiyaTakeshi MinamiKei Hisatomi<\/p>\n
*1 Did Not Classify<\/p>\n
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