MOTORSPORT – TOYOTA Racing will challenge for their sixth victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours next weekend with the TR010 Hybrid Hypercar.
Over 300,000 fans are expected at Circuit de la Sarthe to watch a 62-car grid – including 18 Hypercars from eight different manufacturers – compete for honours in the 94th edition of the legendary race – round three of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
As five-time winners and holders of the fastest-ever lap on the French circuit, Toyota have high targets for the 2026 edition, which is Toyota’s 28th entry at Le Mans.
Those hopes will be carried by their two TR010 race cars – the #7 of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries, and the #8 of Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa.
The high-speed 13.626km Circuit de la Sarthe is unique in WEC. Not only is it the longest circuit, but it is also the only one which includes sections of public road, used throughout the year by everyday traffic. The combination of very long straights, heavy braking for tight chicanes, and high-speed corners pushes car and driver to their limit, particularly in night-time conditions.
The team’s Le Mans challenge begins with a test day tomorrow – the only opportunity to drive on the circuit prior to race week.
Official sessions begin on Wednesday next week with free practice and qualifying, where Hypercars compete for 15 places in Hyperpole. Pole position and the leading grid places are determined in two Hyperpole sessions on Thursday evening, either side of further free practice sessions. The race begins at 5pm, Bahrain time, next Saturday.
“We’re all looking forward to Le Mans, but more importantly we’re looking forward to fighting for victory,” said Kobayashi, who is also Toyota’s team principal.
“We have an updated car, the TR010 Hybrid, which has not yet driven at Le Mans, so we are excited to see our performance. The whole team has worked incredibly hard to be ready, but we know it is a big challenge.
“It will not be easy, but the target is clear: we are going to Le Mans to win.”
Added Buemi: “Le Mans is the biggest race of the year, and it requires a lot of preparation and effort. It’s a magical event and an amazing week.
“I’m really looking forward to driving the TR010 Hybrid at Le Mans for the first time. We look forward to seeing what it can do on this track.
“Hopefully all the learnings over the last few months will allow us to extract the most out of the car.”
Toyota have already arrived along with other participating squads at Circuit de la Sarthe. The drivers conducted their traditional track walk yesterday, while completing the set-up in their garage.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans marks the third of eight rounds in the WEC’s 2026 season. Following France, stops will be made at Interlagos in Brazil on July 12, at Austin in the US on September 6, at Fuji in Japan on September 27, and at Doha in Qatar on October 24, before heading to the kingdom for the WEC’s 2026 finale, the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain, scheduled for November 6 and 7 at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
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