Mike Conway, present Toyota Racing driver within the World Endurance Championship, has introduced that he’ll retire on the finish of this season.
Conway started his profession in single-seater racing, discovering success throughout completely different European F3 championships earlier than getting the chance to be a take a look at driver for the Honda Racing F1 staff in 2007 and 2008 whereas racing in GP2.
In 2008, he bought the chance to check in IndyCar, which led to a seat with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for the next season. Throughout 5 seasons of racing within the North American championship, Conway registered 4 wins.
In 2013, alongside his final IndyCar yr, he made his sportscars debut with G-Drive Racing within the LMP2 class of the World Endurance Championship. 4 victories from eight rounds made him one of many high three rookies within the collection.
This efficiency helped him get a seat with Toyota of their LMP1 programme, the place he spent the remainder of his profession.
Mike Conway loved a vastly profitable profession with Toyota Racing within the FIA World Endurance Championship, turning into a two-time World Champion in 2019-20 and 2021. A key member of Toyota’s #7 crew alongside Kamui Kobayashi and José María López, Conway additionally secured his long-awaited total victory on the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2021.
Over his Toyota WEC profession, he established himself as one of many championship’s most profitable drivers, combining pace, consistency and endurance to assist Toyota safe a number of Drivers’ and Producers’ titles.
“It’s been a tremendous journey, and one I wouldn’t change for the world,” he mirrored. “I’m immensely happy with the profession I’ve had, and very grateful to everybody who has supported me alongside the way in which.
“My racing story began once I was eight-years-old, when my dad took me to an area kart observe and lit a ardour for the game that has by no means left me. That keenness took me all around the world to do my dream job, and I by no means as soon as took it as a right.
“Deciding to step again from full-time racing wasn’t straightforward, however after profitable Le Mans for a second time this yr, it felt like the correct second to shut this chapter and concentrate on my household. To bow out with two Le Mans wins, two world titles and because the most profitable British driver within the championship’s historical past is one thing of which I’m extremely proud – not only for myself, however for my household, my buddies and everybody who has stood behind me all through my profession.
“I owe a lot to so many individuals. There have been robust moments alongside the way in which, however the help I’ve had through the years all the time saved me going. Ultimately, I achieved all the things I may ever have dreamed of.
“Motorsport has been my world for greater than 20 years, and I’ve been fortunate to fulfill so many unimaginable folks, team-mates and staff members – none extra so than everybody at Toyota Racing, who welcomed me into the household in 2014 and with whom I’ve shared my biggest recollections. It’s been an honour and a privilege to characterize them. I can’t thank them sufficient, and I’ll all the time be a part of the Toyota household.
“Now, it’s time for me to step away and luxuriate in life with my household away from the racetrack. To everybody who has supported me, from the very first day at Rye Home to the highest step at Le Mans, thanks a lot.”