José María López will return to Hypercar competition in the FIA World Endurance Championship for the first time in over a year in this weekend’s Lone Star Le Mans (5-7 September), as he steps in for the injured Mike Conway at TOYOTA GAZOO RACING.
The British driver is unable to compete in the sixth round of the 2025 FIA WEC campaign at Circuit of The Americas after injuring his collarbone in a training accident.
López previously deputised for Conway for similar reasons in last season’s 24 Hours of Le Mans – going on to finish second behind the wheel of the #7 Toyota GR010 HYBRID prototype. Like at La Sarthe, the experienced Argentine ace – who led Lexus to its maiden victory in the series in the LMGT3 category seven weeks ago in São Paulo – will flank Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries this weekend.
“I’m sad for Mike, who is a great friend, and I know he is so disappointed that he cannot race in Austin,” commented the two-time world champion, who drove full-time for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing from 2017 to 2023.
“I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. It’s an unexpected opportunity for me to work with everyone in the team again, and I am sure it will be just like old times very quickly. I feel ready for the challenge, and I will give everything to achieve a strong result with Kamui and Nyck.”
“Of course we are all disappointed that Mike cannot join us in the #7 car,” echoed Kobayashi, “but José has proved he is a very capable substitute. As well as wishing Mike a quick recovery, I would like to say a big thanks to Akkodis ASP Team for their support in allowing José to step in.
“The Circuit of The Americas is a fantastic track to drive, and I can’t wait to get out there again in our GR010 HYBRID. As a team, we’ve had a few weeks to analyse what happened in Brazil and we aim to come back much stronger in Austin.”
López’s place in Akkodis ASP’s #87 Lexus RC F LMGT3 will be taken by US-based Brit Jack Hawksworth, who has competed for the French outfit in the two most recent editions of Le Mans, starring on his second appearance in the event this year by leading early on. The former IMSA GTD Pro category champion will partner regular drivers Clemens Schmid and Petru Umbrărescu.
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