Toyota Dominates the 2026 FIA WEC Opener at Imola
Imola, Italy – Toyota Racing made an impressive debut for its new TR010 Hybrid, clinching victory at the inaugural round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the 6 Hours of Imola. The #8 Toyota driven by Brendon Hartley, Ryo Hirakawa, and Sebastien Buemi secured the win against a formidable challenge from the #51 Ferrari AF Corse 499P, marking Toyota’s 50th WEC victory in its 100th race.
The race unfolded as a strategic battle, with both Toyota and Ferrari showing comparable pace. Early in the race, Hartley fell behind but regained third position by passing the #50 Ferrari during the first pit stop. Critical strategic decisions, particularly opting not to change tires during the second round of stops, allowed Hirakawa to emerge ahead of Alessandro Pier Guidi’s #51 Ferrari, establishing a crucial advantage as the race progressed.
A key moment occurred during a Virtual Safety Car period, during which the #8 car managed a timely pit stop for fresh tires without losing its competitive position. Hirakawa held off Pier Guidi through the middle stages, while strategic maneuvers allowed Toyota’s #7 entry, piloted by Kamui Kobayashi, to split the two Ferraris.
Kobayashi executed a triple stint on tires, successfully defending against Antonio Giovinazzi, which allowed Buemi to extend the gap over the Ferrari to beyond ten seconds. Eventually, Buemi brought the #8 Toyota home with a winning margin of 13.382 seconds, as light rain threatened to alter the outcome.
“This victory feels fantastic, especially for the TR010’s debut. Our strategy was spot on today,” said Hartley. Hirakawa added, “We’re making history with our 100th race!”
The Toyota #7 finished third, while the top five was completed by the #35 Alpine and the #20 BMW M Team WRT Hybrid V8. The #50 Ferrari, having suffered a drive-through penalty for a yellow flag infringement, finished sixth.
LMGT3 Summary
In LMGT3, Team WRT claimed victory with the #69 BMW M4 LMGT3 Evo, driven by rookies Anthony McIntosh, Parker Thompson, and Dan Harper, showcasing consistent performance throughout the race. Victory was secured after a late mechanical failure sidelined the pole-sitting #10 Garage 59 McLaren, allowing the #69 BMW to seize the lead.
The podium was rounded out by the #92 Porsche 911 GT3 R and the sister #91 entry. Notably, the #10 McLaren managed to finish 13th in LMGT3 despite returning from the pits in the final laps.
The next round of the FIA WEC will continue the season’s excitement, with teams eager to build on their early results. More updates to follow as the championship unfolds.
