Toyota is entering the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with a comprehensively revised hypercar. The new TR010 Hybrid is intended to help the manufacturer return to the forefront. Technically, the focus has been on aerodynamics, while the driver lineups remain unchanged.
The WEC season opener is just around the corner: the championship kicks off in Imola from April 17th to 19th. A total of 17 Hypercars from eight manufacturers will compete against each other – including two cars from Toyota. The Japanese manufacturer has been part of the series since 2012. The model used so far, the GR010 Hybrid, is one of the oldest vehicles in the current field. However, the car has been extensively reworked during the winter break, with a particular focus on aerodynamics.
Visually, the redesigned front section is particularly striking, featuring new headlights among other elements that give the vehicle a more modern appearance. The rear has also seen adjustments: the wing has been re-engineered and now has a distinctive curve in the central section. Furthermore, the red and white paint scheme is reminiscent of the legendary 1998 Toyota TS020.
In addition to the technical changes, the name has also been adjusted: From the 2026 season, the GR010 Hybrid will become the TR010 Hybrid. The background to this is a restructuring of the team's appearance – instead of competing under Toyota Gazoo Racing, the team will now compete as Toyota Racing.
The driver lineup, however, remains unchanged. Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries will continue to start in the car with starting number 7. The sister car, number 8, will again be piloted by Brendon Hartley, Ryo Hirakawa, and Sébastien Buemi.
A special anniversary is also approaching: The race in Imola marks Toyota's 100th WEC start since the series was founded in 2012. During this time, the team has celebrated 49 victories, including five successes at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Team boss and driver Kobayashi is optimistic: Reaching 100 races is a significant milestone. At the same time, expectations for the new season are high. While the predecessor model had a lot of potential, it also showed weaknesses – especially compared to the competition, which has made progress recently. Accordingly, the anticipation for the revised vehicle is great.