The phrasing in the wake of Toyota’s last lap defeat at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans was reduced to one word: speechless.
When Kazuki Nakajima reported a loss of drive, the car ground to a halt on the front straight and the No. 2 Porsche that won the race blew past. The Toyota, meanwhile, was not classified.
The reaction and finish to this year’s Le Mans will go down in history.
Here’s a mere sampling of what social media had to say in the immediate aftermath:
Heartbroken.
— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC (@TGR_WEC) June 19, 2016
Competed together for 24 hours. Head to head for 24 hours. Gained our respect forever. #LEMANS24 pic.twitter.com/9NVoLVNaax
— Porsche (@Porsche) June 19, 2016
I'm proud of my team @Toyota_Hybrid and my team mates for putting up such a fight. We almost had it, but congrats to @Porsche_Team
— Anthony Davidson (@antdavidson) June 19, 2016
The Toyota pit is a scene of complete dejection and bewilderment at present. Tears and hugs everywhere. Quite overwhelming and humbling.
— sniffermedia (@sniffermedia) June 19, 2016
I have no words to describe what just happened at #LeMans. Truly. Gutted. Devastated. Nothing comes close to what the team is feeing.
— jameypricephoto (@jameypricephoto) June 19, 2016
Our respect to the whole @Toyota_Hybrid Team. Applaud for each & every of Toyota colleague.#LeMansSpirit #WEC pic.twitter.com/TgctZqqoA6
— FIA World Endurance Championship (@FIAWEC) June 19, 2016
"I'm proud of my @Toyota_Hybrid team for putting up such a fight." – @AntDavidson. #LeMans24 @FIAWEC #Respect #LM24 pic.twitter.com/5IIaOOcJMd
— Mobil 1 The Grid (@Mobil1TheGrid) June 19, 2016
"This race should have 2 winners. @Toyota_Hybrid deserved this, too." – @LiebMarc. @FIAWEC @Porsche_Team #LeMans24 pic.twitter.com/YM5Hd7r3jA
— Mobil 1 The Grid (@Mobil1TheGrid) June 19, 2016
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich: 'We know that Le Mans can be a cruel race. But what happened to Toyota was incredible!' #WEC #LeMans24
— Audi Sport (@audisport) June 19, 2016
What a Le Mans race! Congratulations to @Porsche_Team and @Toyota_Hybrid – winner of the hearts #WEC #LeMans24 pic.twitter.com/uGECFk8BSP
— Audi Sport (@audisport) June 19, 2016
Winners #LeMans24 #919Hybrid @Porsche_Team @neeljani @LiebMarc @RomainDumas but kudos to @Toyota_Hybrid team pic.twitter.com/TLRuwuSTzx
— Porsche GB (@PorscheGB) June 19, 2016
.@Toyota_Hybrid We take our hats off to you. Your performance today was truly admirable.
— Aston Martin Racing (@AMR_Official) June 19, 2016
From all @AMR_Official
No happiness to see such a completely gut-wrenching loss. Hat tip to @Toyota_Hybrid. #Respect https://t.co/YoavZqDDAC
— Mazda Motorsports (@MazdaRacing) June 19, 2016
Omg. I though we had a bad day @24hoursoflemans but what happened to Toyota was just saddest thing I ever saw. Win was yours @Toyota_Hybrid
— Andre Lotterer (@Andre_Lotterer) June 19, 2016
Absolutely gutted for @Toyota_Hybrid, @antdavidson etc. Can't believe it!!!
— Oliver Jarvis (@ollyjarvis) June 19, 2016
I have never seen anything like that last lap of #LeMans24 in my life, as a racer, I feel so much for @Toyota_Hybrid & drivers.
— Allan McNish (@allanmcnish) June 19, 2016
I am so speechless, I am gutted for all the @Toyota_Hybrid guys and girls who had the biggest race in the world snatched away from them.
— David Brabham (@brabsracer) June 19, 2016
I think most of the paddock and likely the world has a similar feeling. So very sorry for Toyota. https://t.co/PjOGqjAIBq
— Tommy Milner (@TommyMilner) June 19, 2016
Congratulation @PorscheRaces #2 for this incredible victory #LeMans24 . A lot of respect for @Toyota_Hybrid , you guys also deserved it!
— kevin estre (@kevinestre) June 19, 2016
What a heart break for Toyota. Wow Congrats to @Porsche_Team
— Juan Pablo Montoya (@jpmontoya) June 19, 2016
Wow! @24hoursoflemans congrats to @PorscheRaces #919 and @Ford with #GT40 & @BourdaisOnTrack. Very cruel time for @Toyota_Hybrid keep strong
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) June 19, 2016
Feel so so sorry for @Toyota_Hybrid what a performance they showed during the whole #LeMans24 but that 1 lap tho... #1lap
— Robin Frijns (@RFrijns) June 19, 2016
Heartbroken for Toyota 😧
— Sage Karam (@SageKaram) June 19, 2016
Gutted for @Toyota_Hybrid but Porsche won it, however not to classify the No.5 is nonsense. They should be on the podium. @specutainment
— Racecar Engineering (@RacecarEngineer) June 19, 2016
I like to think I have an unbiased view point but I feel SO bad for the @Toyota_Hybrid team. Cruel beyond belief #LeMans24 @Eurosport
— Jeremy Shaw (@JeremyShawRacer) June 19, 2016
Beyond gutted for @Toyota_Hybrid. #LeMans24 can be so cruel when it wants to be. They were the team to beat.
— Peter Leung (@BaronVonClutch) June 19, 2016
Unbelievable. I'm speechless.
— John Dagys (@johndagys) June 19, 2016
How painful! Alex Wurz has to present Porsche guys with their trophies 😧 #LeMans24 pic.twitter.com/fhQngV7GAb
— Erin Cechal (@ErinCechal) June 19, 2016
Massively gutted for @Toyota_Hybrid. I was really gunning for them... I have been since they entered @FIAWEC. So, so sorry for everyone.
— Rebecca Jones (@TheRebeccaJones) June 19, 2016
Sometimes the explanation "that's motorsport" seems far too simple. Respect @Toyota_Hybrid, congrats @PorscheRaces #LeMans24 @FIAWEC #nring
— Nürburgring (@nuerburgring) June 19, 2016
This race has to remind us all the huge respect we must have for all the competitors. Motorsport is le mans 24h/WEC pic.twitter.com/8EUCCwtsFV
— Gérard Neveu (@GerardNeveu09) June 19, 2016
The N°5 @Toyota_Hybrid /Michelin doesn't appear on the final timing screen. It will not even be classified #LeMans24 #HeartBreaking
— Michelin Motorsport (@Michelin_Sport) June 19, 2016