{"id":2776,"date":"2025-07-16T07:21:25","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T07:21:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bruntonwolf.com\/?p=2776"},"modified":"2025-07-16T15:54:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T15:54:53","slug":"fantastic-car-formula-1-driver-praises-the-lexus-lfr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.bruntonwolf.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/16\/fantastic-car-formula-1-driver-praises-the-lexus-lfr\/","title":{"rendered":"'Fantastic Car:' Formula 1 Driver Praises the Lexus LFR"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We can\u2019t remember the last time there was this much hype around a new Toyota. It\u2019s trending on social media and beyond, not just because it looks spectacular, but also because it offers a glimpse into the near future of a flagship sports car. Part of its popularity online stems from the mystery surrounding it. Is it a Toyota or a Lexus? Does it have a twin-turbo V-8 or not? Is it a hybrid or a pure combustion-engine car?<\/p>\n
Toyota and Lexus have shared zero details about the cars; yes, plural. One is believed to be a road-going vehicle called the Lexus LFR, while the other could be a GT3-spec race car from Toyota. Haas Formula 1 drivers Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman were invited to drive both, swapping seats over the weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Our sister site Motorsport.com<\/em><\/a> interviewed the F1 pilots, and both praised the dynamic duo. After getting behind the wheel of the street-legal version for the hill climb, Ocon gave it a glowing review:<\/p>\n Esteban Ocon<\/em><\/p>\n Photo by: Simon Galloway \/ Motorsport Images<\/p>\n Oliver Bearman<\/em><\/p>\n ‘It was a lot of fun. It’s a fantastic car to drive, honestly. I got a chance to drive the race car yesterday and Ollie was driving the road car. We swapped today so got a bit of the feel, a bit of more comfort this morning than yesterday. But honestly, it’s incredibly fast, incredibly capable, and a big thank you to Toyota for trusting us driving these beasts today.’<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Fellow Haas driver Bearman echoed his sentiments:<\/p>\n ‘Yesterday, I got to try the road-going version. The GT is definitely a bit faster, but both amazing cars in their own right. [The GT] car is really more suited to a track like this. You know, in F1, we’re not really pushing. We have a few too many horsepower and missing a bit of rubber \u2013 let’s say at the rear tires \u2013 to push. But with the GT car, it really \u2013 that track comes alive, and I really, really enjoyed it.’<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n At this point, you\u2019re probably wondering: what does Haas have to do with Toyota\u2019s new sports cars? It\u2019s a valid question, considering the F1 cars are powered by Ferrari engines in a deal set to last through the end of the 2028 season. In October 2024, however, the F1 team entered a technical partnership with Gazoo Racing, Toyota\u2019s motorsport and sports car division.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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