The 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans, run on 11–12 June 2022 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, drew 244,200 spectators to witness Toyota Gazoo Racing complete a commanding 1–2 finish. This 1:43 scale model by Spark Model documents the winning car — chassis number 8 — in the white, red, and black livery that defined Toyota's Hypercar era through the 2021–2023 seasons before giving way to a matte black scheme in 2024.
Le Mans Hypercar Engineering: The GR010 Hybrid
The Toyota GR010 Hybrid was built around a carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb monocoque, measuring 4,900 mm in length, 2,000 mm wide, and 1,150 mm tall, with a minimum race weight of 1,040 kg. Power came from the Toyota H8909, a 3.5-litre 90-degree V6 twin-turbo unit producing 500 kW at the rear axle, paired with a 200 kW Aisin-Denso front hybrid motor through the Toyota Hybrid System–Racing. Drive reached all four wheels via a 7-speed sequential semi-automatic gearbox, with Brembo carbon ventilated discs and Akebono calipers handling retardation, and Michelin radial slicks on Rays forged alloys.
Pole to Podium: The 2022 Le Mans Race History
Brendon Hartley set the quickest Hyperpole lap to give the #8 car grid priority at the 90th edition. Over 24 hours, 2 minutes, and 7.996 seconds, the trio of Swiss driver Sébastien Buemi, New Zealander Hartley, and Japanese debutant Ryō Hirakawa completed 380 laps to win by a margin of 2 minutes 1.222 seconds over the sister #7 GR010 Hybrid. It was Toyota's fifth consecutive overall Le Mans victory — Buemi's fourth win at the Circuit de la Sarthe and Hirakawa's first in his inaugural full WEC season. The white, red, and black livery carried here was the same palette used since the TS050 Hybrid era from 2016, making the 2022 car the last Le Mans winner in that colour scheme.
Spark Model in 1:43: Resin Construction and Presentation
Spark Model produced this 1:43 scale model in resin, a material chosen at this scale for its ability to hold fine aerodynamic surface geometry — relevant for the GR010's complex bodywork. The model is presented on a display stand. As is standard for Spark's resin output at 1:43, the body is a sealed one-piece construction with no opening parts; detail is concentrated on exterior surfaces, including the livery graphics and race number 8 markings. The model was manufactured in China.
In the Display Cabinet: Size, Pairings, and Collection Context
At 1:43, the GR010 Hybrid's 4,900 mm real-car length translates to approximately 11.5 cm on the shelf — compact enough to sit comfortably alongside Spark's #7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid for a complete 2022 Le Mans 1–2 display, or with the Spark Toyota TS050 Hybrid #8 to trace the white/red/black lineage. The Spark 1:18 version of the same car provides an obvious centrepiece for collectors who prefer a larger-format pairing. This model fits naturally into any WEC Hypercar collection spanning the 2021–2023 championship seasons.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the 1:43 scale model?
The real Toyota GR010 Hybrid measures 4,900 mm in length. At 1:43 that yields approximately 11.5 cm, so plan for around 13–14 cm of shelf depth to allow for the display stand. It is compact but still sufficient to show the Hypercar silhouette clearly.
Does the model have opening parts?
No. This is a sealed resin one-piece body with no opening doors, bonnet, or engine cover. At 1:43 Spark concentrates fidelity on exterior aerodynamic surfaces and livery reproduction, including the white, red, and black Toyota Gazoo Racing graphics and the race number 8.
What material is the model made from, and who makes it?
The model is produced by Spark Model in resin. Resin allows precise reproduction of the GR010's bodywork geometry at 1:43 scale, retaining sharper surface definition than diecast at this size. It is manufactured in China.
Why is the 2022 Le Mans winner historically significant?
The #8 GR010 Hybrid's win on 11–12 June 2022 was Toyota's fifth consecutive overall victory at Le Mans, completing a run stretching back to 2018. It also marked the first Le Mans win for Ryō Hirakawa, and Sébastien Buemi's fourth — placing him alongside a very short list of four-time Le Mans winners.
