The #7 Toyota lost its pole position for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The reason was a wrong identification number for the car’s fuel flow meter.
The team released the following statement:
“The pole position-winning #7 TS050 Hybrid of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López will start the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps from the pit lane after an administrative error resulted in the cancellation of the car’s qualifying lap times.”
“An incorrect identification number for the car’s fuel flow meter was declared for the #7 prior to qualifying. This subsequently emerged during post-qualifying scrutineering. As a result, the car will start from the pit lane, one lap behind the field.”
“The team accepts full responsibility for the error, which had no impact whatsoever on car performance. The fuel flow meter which was used in the #7 was fully homologated and calibrated.”
“The situation means the #8 TS050 HYBRID of Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Fernando Alonso will start from pole position.”
Toyota also apologized to the drivers of the #8 car. The team will also strengthen its processes and procedures “to avoid any repeat of this unfortunate error”.
“It was a bit of a tricky qualifying with the long delays. I made a small mistake in the first sector but that was my only regret. The car felt good to drive but we believe we can still fine-tune it for the race. We need to maximise the car because it’s going to be a challenge, especially to look after the tyres. It’s going to be a long race”, said Nakajima after the qualifying.
