Gearing Up for Superior Automobiles: A Journey Back to the Nürburgring 24 Hours Race After a Six-Year Break
In an exciting turn of events, Akio Toyoda, better known as Morizo, the Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, recently returned to the Nürburgring after a six-year hiatus. His objective was clear: to refocus on the fundamental purpose of participating in motorsports, which is to create better cars.
The Nürburgring, famously known as the Green Hell, is a notorious circuit located in Germany. With over 170 corners and an elevation difference of 300 metres, it is considered the most punishing circuit in the world. Its demanding nature makes it a holy land for car development, a place where vehicles are pushed to their limits.
Morizo's return was not a solitary endeavour. He was accompanied by the TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing (TG-RR) team, a group that shares his ideals of continuous improvement and honours the legacy of Hiromu Naruse, Morizo's mentor and a key figure in Toyota's motorsport history. Naruse's influence not only shaped Toyota's approach to racing but also inspired Morizo to participate in motorsports under the name "Morizo."
For the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours, TG-RR competed with the GR Yaris. This model was developed by leveraging knowledge from the World Rally Championship (WRC) and refined through the Super Taikyu Series. The race provided an opportunity to test the GR Yaris under the demanding conditions of the Nürburgring, aligning with Morizo's vision of enhancing Toyota's cars through motorsport participation.
Despite the challenges faced during the race, including numerous crashes, Morizo expressed satisfaction with achieving his goal and the team's performance. The team finished 52nd, a testament to the gruelling nature of the race and the resilience of the team.
The Nürburgring presents unique challenges, with many sections of the road having consecutive corners with no visibility of what is ahead. In some sections, cars briefly lift off the ground due to undulations. The road is overall narrow, making it a demanding course for both cars and drivers. It is no wonder that many auto manufacturers use the Nürburgring as a test course.
In conclusion, Morizo's return to the Nürburgring was a significant step towards reaffirming the core purpose of Toyota's motorsport participation: to make ever-better cars. The team's commitment to continuous improvement, honoring Hiromu Naruse's legacy, and using the Nürburgring as a test bed for innovation are values that will undoubtedly drive Toyota's future in motorsports.
The TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing (TG-RR) team, sharing Morizo's vision for superior automotive creation, joined him at the Nürburgring, a revered circuit in the finance-heavy industry of transportation, known as the Green Hell. As the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours approached, TG-RR tested the GR Yaris model, a car refined through motorsport involvement, particularly in sports events like the World Rally Championship (WRC) and Super Taikyu Series.
