Injury Forces Mike Conway Out of WEC Austin; Nyck de Vries Steps Up for Toyota Gazoo Racing

In an unexpected and significant blow to Toyota Gazoo Racing's World Endurance Championship aspirations, star driver Mike Conway has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. Conway sustained painful collarbone and rib injuries during a cycling accident last month, an unfortunate incident that now sidelines him from what promises to be a pivotal race in the championship calendar.

The veteran British racer is scheduled to undergo surgery to address his injuries and is expected to face a challenging recovery period of at least a month.

This timeline casts a considerable shadow over his potential participation in the subsequent WEC round at Monza on July 9, further complicating Toyota's driver lineup for the immediate future. A safe return to the cockpit will strictly hinge on receiving official medical clearance from FIA doctors, a standard and crucial procedure for any driver recovering from injury.

Stepping into Conway's formidable shoes in the #7 Toyota GR010 HYBRID will be the highly-rated Nyck de Vries.

The Dutchman, who is also a driver for AlphaTauri in Formula 1, is no stranger to Toyota's cutting-edge Hypercar. He previously impressed during the WEC rookie test last November and has been serving diligently as the team's official reserve driver. De Vries will join regular co-drivers Jose Maria Lopez and Kamui Kobayashi, forming a powerful and experienced trio aiming to maintain Toyota's competitive edge and championship charge.

This marks a rare and unfortunate first for Conway, who has been an integral and consistent part of Toyota's dominant WEC effort since becoming a full-time fixture in 2015.

His unwavering performance and vital contributions include being part of the legendary crew that clinched the coveted Le Mans 24 Hours victory in 2021. His absence will undoubtedly be felt within the team, but Toyota's confidence in de Vries is a testament to the depth and versatility of their talent pool.

While de Vries is an exceptionally capable replacement, his concurrent Formula 1 commitments with AlphaTauri present a potential logistical challenge for Toyota should Conway's recovery extend beyond the initial projections.

This adds an extra layer of strategic planning for the Japanese manufacturer as they navigate the complexities of a highly competitive endurance racing season. All eyes will now be fixed on the #7 crew and de Vries as they prepare to tackle the demanding COTA circuit without one of their longest-standing and most successful champions.