Mike Conway is increasingly seen as the most probable Toyota Racing exit as the current FIA World Endurance Championship season winds down, which would bring to a close a relationship with the brand that has lasted more than ten years.
Conway has been a full-time member of the Toyota WEC squad since the 2015 season, after making his initial appearances for the Cologne-based outfit in 2014.
In that period he has contributed to the team’s titles in 2019/20 and 2021, and he also celebrated Le Mans glory in the latter year alongside Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez.
Nevertheless, Conway has long been regarded as the Toyota driver most likely to leave if a shift is made for the 2027 campaign, with the driver market already showing signs of activity earlier than usual.
The 42-year-old has been linked with a departure from Toyota, with Ford and McLaren believed to be among the potential destinations.
Asked about what his future might hold in the period ahead of Le Mans this weekend, Conway told Sportscar365: “I can’t quite say yet. I’ve got ideas about things I’ll pursue, but I can’t reveal anything until later in the year.”
Asked whether the plan was set, he replied: “Kind of in my mind, yeah.”
Conway was non-committal when asked if his plans involved a move away from Toyota, the Briton simply saying: “We’ll wait and see.”
Nakajima: The 2027 Driver Conundrum — A Pleasant Headache to Manage
Conway’s comments come at a moment when Kevin Estre has been connected with a Toyota switch, potentially on a loan deal from his current team Porsche, while Esteban Masson is also considered a candidate to wear the Toyota colours in the years ahead.
Masson made his second public appearance in Toyota Hypercar machinery during last weekend’s test day, which would allow him to step into the WEC’s premier event if required this weekend.
Team director Kazuki Nakajima said Masson has joined Jose Maria Lopez in the team’s pool of reserve drivers, but rejected the notion that the 21-year-old — previously described by the squad as “special” — is being primed for a rapid promotion.
“We gave Esteban five laps on Sunday, and for us it’s simply part of the preparation, to have two drivers in our pocket we can call on if something happens,” Nakajima explained.
“Of course he is part of our family as a development driver, and what he has been doing in LMP2 and GT3 is quite promising. But it’s a little early to say.”
Nakajima acknowledged that a highly active WEC driver market, spurred by Ford and McLaren joining the Hypercar field next year and Alpine’s pending withdrawal, would necessitate relatively swift decisions, but added: “Making decisions and making announcements is always a different story.”
“I have to say that all of our drivers are doing a good job, but at the end of the day we need to evaluate all the different possibilities. This is where we are.”
“Luckily, including Esteban, we have many good drivers in the family, so it’s a nice headache to have. But at the moment we are committed to our current drivers.”
Asked specifically about Conway’s future, Nakajima replied: “He has been quite fast this weekend, so that’s also why I said all of our drivers are doing a good job.”
Another potential variable at Toyota is Ryo Hirakawa’s ambitions to move from his current Formula 1 reserve role with Haas to a race seat next season.
“Personally I fully support his dream, but at the same time it’s something we cannot influence; it’s fully Haas’s decision,” Nakajima said on the topic.
“It’s also one part the headache we have. We have to be prepared for many scenarios.”
