WEC News: Toyota Handed Staggering Fine For Race Director's Comments

Saajan Jogia | Jul 18, 2024

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing into action at Interlagos WEC / WEC Press Image

Toyota has been handed a $10,900/£8,400 suspended fine after race director Rob Leupen went against the rules by commenting on the World Endurance Championship's Balance of Performance (BoP). This is the first time a fine has been levied for the breach of a rule that came into effect early last year.

Leupen's comments were reported on the Italian and Dutch versions of Motorsport.com, which the stewards termed a 'serious breach of the regulations' after their meeting at the Interlagos round of the WEC last weekend.

In their comments, the stewards stated that the penalty was issued due to actions that questioned the impartiality of the FIA, thereby 'casting doubt on the integrity of the sporting results of the championship and damaging their credibility'.

Since a fine was levied under the rule for the first time, the stewards said that it would remain suspended until the end of the current year, provided there are no further violations by anyone associated with Toyota Gazoo Racing. Citing the event as an example, the other competitors were warned in the stewards' report that future violations may not attract a suspended penalty.

Referring to Leupen's comments, he stated that the late BoP change for the Hypercar class ahead of the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours did not comply with the regulations. This change contradicted the guidelines agreed upon by the manufacturers competing in Hypercars. Though he never had any complaints about the BoP, he sought greater transparency. He said:

“This year it was better, but even in this case, you notice that the process for the BoP is not transparent.

“You can transparently define the processes on which the BoP is based.

“You could say: 'Here they are and this is the way we’re going to do it’. And then you could also get feedback.

“We give it after every race, it’s just that we do not receive it in return.

“The traffic is one-way. It doesn't work. We need to work together to improve the situation.”