TOYOTA Racing has shuffled its driver line-up for the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship season, after two years of relative stability.
After the Japanese squad reviewed the various individual strengths and characteristics of each of their drivers, a choice was made to maximise the chances of success for each car.
Nicolas Lapierre will switch to the #8 TS040 HYBRID in 2014, while Stéphane Sarrazin does a complete swap; slipping into the #7 car.
AS such the full #7 line-up will consist of Alex Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin and Kazuki Nakajima, while the #8 drivers will be Anthony Davidson, Nicolas Lapierre and Sébastien Buemi.
Whilst it is unknown what checks and balances were equated in deciding the line-up, the decision appears to reflect a shifting of the gears at Toyota, intent of throwing everything they can at securing both the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans.
MUSICAL CHAIRS AT TOYOTA
Images courtesy Toyota Motorsport