WEC News: Toyota beats Ferrari at Imola

The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season kicked off in dramatic fashion at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, on April 19. In a thrilling 6 Hours of Imola, Toyota Gazoo Racing’s #8 GR010 Hybrid (debuting as the updated TR010 Hybrid) delivered a stunning upset over pole-sitting Ferrari AF Corse, securing Toyota’s milestone 50th WEC win in its 100th hybrid-era entry.

The victory was no fluke. On a circuit notorious for its overtaking challenges, Toyota’s superior strategy trumped Ferrari’s raw pace in a nail-biting contest that showcased the depth of the Hypercar class in its second season under the new regulations.

A Historic Milestone for Toyota

Toyota entered Imola as the most experienced manufacturer in the modern WEC, having competed in every season since the championship’s inception in 2012. This was their 100th race with hybrid powertrains—a journey that began with the TS030 Hybrid and evolved through multiple title-winning campaigns, including five Le Mans 24 Hours triumphs. The new TR010 Hybrid represented a significant evolution of the GR010, featuring updates aimed at addressing the team’s disappointing 2025 season (just one win).

Pre-race hype centered on this centenary. Toyota Racing president Hisatake Murata and driver Kamui Kobayashi emphasized the team’s long-term development and optimism for the updated package. The #8 car—driven by Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa—started third on the grid, just 0.011 seconds behind pole-sitter Antonio Giovinazzi in the #51 Ferrari 499P.

Race Report: Strategy Decides the Day

The race began with Ferrari’s #51 (James Calado starting) leading, while the sister #50 Ferrari and #8 Toyota chased closely. Early pit stops saw Hartley in the #8 Toyota jump the #50 Ferrari, setting the tone for a battle of wits rather than outright speed.

The decisive moment came during the second pit cycle. Hirakawa stayed out on older tires while rivals changed rubber, vaulting the #8 into the lead. A perfectly timed Virtual Safety Car (VSC) then allowed Toyota to fit fresh tires without losing positions—a masterstroke that handed them a decisive advantage.

Mid-race, Alessandro Pier Guidi in the #51 Ferrari closed the gap and began pressuring Hirakawa. Toyota responded by deploying the #7 sister car (Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway, Nyck de Vries) as a tactical blocker against Antonio Giovinazzi’s charge. Kobayashi’s marathon triple stint proved crucial, helping stretch the lead beyond 10 seconds.

Late-race light rain threatened to shuffle the order, but Buemi kept the #8 Toyota composed in the closing stages. The car crossed the line 13.382 seconds ahead of the #51 Ferrari after 213 laps. The #7 Toyota completed the podium in third, also one lap down in some provisional notations but a strong result overall.

Ferrari’s #50 car, which showed strong early pace, was hamstrung by a drive-through penalty for a yellow-flag infringement, dropping it to sixth. Other incidents included an early crash for the #93 Peugeot at Tamburello, sensor failure for one Genesis entry, and transmission woes for Akkodis ASP Lexuses in LMGT3.

LMGT3 Class: Drama and Heartbreak

In the LMGT3 category, Team WRT’s #69 BMW M4 GT3 (Anthony McIntosh, Parker Thompson, Dan Harper) took victory in a last-lap thriller. They inherited the lead when the leading Garage 59 McLaren (#10) suffered a late electrical failure. Corvette Racing’s #33 finished just 0.265 seconds behind in second, with Porsche entries rounding out the podium.

Championship Implications

Toyota’s 1-3 result gives them an early points advantage in the manufacturers’ standings and sends a strong message that the Japanese giant remains the benchmark despite a challenging 2025. Ferrari’s near-miss and penalties highlight the razor-thin margins in the ultra-competitive Hypercar field, which now includes strong showings from BMW, Alpine, Cadillac, and newcomers like Genesis.

The 2026 season promises fireworks, with the next round at Spa-Francorchamps in May and Le Mans looming in June. For Toyota, this 100th-race triumph is not just a statistic—it’s proof that their hybrid expertise and strategic depth continue to define endurance racing.

As one of the longest-serving manufacturers in WEC history, Toyota has once again shown why they are perennial contenders. The 2026 campaign is off to a blockbuster start.

Imola Race Results