Sebastien Buemi and the No. 8 Toyota have finally begun to hit a run of form after winning last time out in Sao Paulo.
The Swiss driver took victory alongside Ryo Hirakawa and Brendon Hartley and will be extra motivated heading into Lone Star Le Mans this weekend as Toyota has never won at COTA.
Neither Buemi nor the Japanese manufacturer has stood on the top step of the podium in Texas, but they have taken two second places in 2013 and 2020 in WEC.
The Toyota team has won a couple of races this season across its two cars, and chasing the first win at the Circuit of The Americas could provide the extra motivation they need to win the race.
Sam Smith believes Sebastian Buemi will want to tick the box of winning at COTA
Buemi has enjoyed a superb career in the World Endurance Championship and has won the most races in the championships’ history with 25.
Despite his incredible success, a win in Texas has eluded him throughout his career, the last time WEC raced at the track in 2020, Rebellion Racing saw the chequered flag first.
The 35-year-old has won four championships in the series and taken victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours on four occasions.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Sebastien Buemi from career stats to net worth
Sam Smith believes that he will be pushing to win in Texas this weekend and take victory at another circuit in his career.
He said to the FIA World Endurance Championship YouTube channel: “Toyota never won here at COTA, which I found an incredible stat.
“But they finished here twice in second place in 2013, which was their first visit here. And then in 2020 as well. And Sebastian Buemi is the most winning driver in WEC history, has never won here at COTA.
“That’s going to be a box he personally wants to tick. And obviously, Toyota will be going to want to do back to back victories.”
Toyota has been outperformed by Ferrari and Porsche this season in WEC
Toyota had a hugely dominant spell in the World Endurance Championship, winning at Le Mans on five consecutive occasions from 2018-2022 when WEC had little competition in the LMP1 era.
This season has been a different story as they were beaten at Le Mans by Ferrari for the second season in a row.
In addition to failing to win in France, Porsche is leading the championship with the No. 6 car after winning the Qatar 1812km and finishing second three times.
The Japanese manufacturer has three rounds remaining to attempt to get into the title battle, which is still a possibility as the No. 7 is 22 points behind the leading Porsche.