A Toyota TR010 Hybrid victory at the 6 Hours of Imola on April 22, 2026, marked a strong start to the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season. Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryō Hirakawa drove the No.8 car to first place, while teammates Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries finished third in the No.7 vehicle.
The double podium finish delivered Toyota Racing its 50th championship victory and marked the team’s 100th race in the WEC hybrid era. Both vehicles completed 213 laps on the challenging Italian circuit, with the No.8 car posting a best lap time of 1:32.490 and finishing in 6:00:10.939. The No.7 car recorded a best lap of 1:32.659 with an elapsed time of 6:00:52.126.
Race Conditions and Performance
The Imola circuit presented evolving conditions throughout the six-hour contest. Light rain and strong winds in the closing stages tested tire and fuel management strategies. The newly debuted Toyota TR010 Hybrid Electric Hypercar, introduced in January 2026 as an evolution of the GR010 model, demonstrated consistent performance across the race distance.
The No.8 car maintained a leading position throughout much of the race before securing the lead during the middle stages. In the final hours, the crew navigated the wet track conditions to hold the advantage until the finish. The No.7 vehicle worked steadily forward over the course of the race, securing third place less than a minute behind the winning car.
Team Principal Comments
“We tried everything we could today to bring home the best possible result. It was quite a smooth race but not easy to find the opportunities to make up places. It was challenging for us, but we managed to get both cars on the podium and start the season with a win, so I’m really happy. Most importantly, our car seems to be strong so that brings us confidence for the rest of the season.”
Kamui Kobayashi, Team Principal and driver, No.7 car
Kobayashi praised the team’s execution and the vehicle’s performance. He noted that well-judged strategy and clean execution from the crews enabled both cars to secure podium positions despite the challenging conditions.
Looking Ahead to Spa
Round two of the 2026 FIA WEC takes place at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on May 9. The historic Belgian circuit is known for its elevation changes, high speeds, and unpredictable weather conditions. Toyota Racing will aim to build on its early season momentum as the championship progresses.
The Imola victory underscores Toyota’s commitment to vehicle and human development through motorsports. From the 2026 season, the company competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship under the Toyota Racing brand, strengthening its long-term technological foundation through advanced motorsports activities.
