Toyota Dominates 2026 FIA WEC Season, Buemi, Hartley, and Hirakawa Crowned Champions
Monza, Italy — Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa have clinched the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar Drivers’ title, capping off a remarkable season with a subdued 11th-place finish in the #8 Toyota at Monza. This result solidified their championship lead over teammates in the #7 car.
The finale at Monza followed Toyota’s commanding 1-2 finish at Barcelona, where they secured the Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers’ Championship. In contrast to their previous dominance, the final round lacked competitiveness, as both Toyota TR010s struggled for pace throughout the race. With numerous race incidents, strategic options were limited, and the anticipated showdown for the title was instead a formality.
Buemi reflected on the season with a sense of fulfillment despite not contending for the win at Monza. “Losing Le Mans was hard, but winning the championship makes up for it a bit,” he stated. Their season highlighted by six wins, including the prestigious Le Mans triumph, underscored their consistency, with a strong finishing margin of 17 points over their closest rivals.
Hartley noted, “We knew this year was an opportunity with the updates to the car,” referring to the newly revamped LMH that dominated much of the season. With excellent performance and tire management, Toyota established itself as the team to beat.
The season also had poignant moments. Mike Conway, racing in his final appearance, expressed bittersweet emotions, having secured a Le Mans victory but finishing behind the #8 crew in the standings. “It’s been a weird day…but we can be proud of the results we’ve achieved,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, with other manufacturers gearing up for substantial updates, notably Ferrari and Peugeot, the 2027 season promises intensified competition. For now, Toyota is set to celebrate its successful campaign before commencing preparations for the title defense.
Hirakawa summarized the achievement succinctly, stating, “We can be proud as drivers and as a team, but at the same time we want to be stronger next year. We can’t wait.”
As the motorsport community reflects on Toyota’s resurgence, the focus will shift to how its rivals respond to this formidable benchmark in the Hypercar category.
