MOTORSPORT – TOYOTA Racing will bring the curtain down on a spectacular 2026 season in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with a shoot-out for the drivers’ title in the Six Hours of Monza this weekend.
A one-two victory in the penultimate round in Barcelona just over a fortnight ago secured the manufacturers’ world championship for the team in their first season competing as Toyota Racing. It also guaranteed that one of their crews will become drivers’ world champions in Italy.
Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa won the Barcelona race in their number eight TR010 Hybrid and hold the advantage in the title race, leading by 17 points. A top-five finish will ensure the trio win their third world championship together, having previously triumphed in 2022 and 2023.
Le Mans winners Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway, and Nyck de Vries are aiming for their first title together in the number seven TR010 but they must overcome the 17-point deficit to take the crown. Kobayashi and Conway already have two titles to their name after wins in 2019-20 and 2021, while de Vries is chasing his first.
Regardless of the result, the Six Hours of Monza will be a milestone for Toyota Racing. It marks the end of the TR010’s debut campaign, which has already delivered both world titles and four race wins, including the Le Mans 24 Hours and the team’s home race at Fuji Speedway.
Monza will also be Conway’s last race prior to his retirement from full-time competition. It will be his 86th event with the team since joining in 2014. Since then, he has won 20 races – including two Le Mans victories – and finished on the podium 47 times.
Like the Circuit de la Sarthe in France, Monza is famed for its long straights and tight chicanes, requiring good top speed and braking stability. The team will start their on-track preparations on Friday with two practice sessions before Hypercar qualifying the following day. The Six Hours of Monza then starts at 1pm, Bahrain time, on Sunday.
“I enjoy racing in Italy – I spent a lot of time there earlier in my career and the fans are always so passionate about motorsport,” said Buemi. “So, it feels like a perfect place to finish a special season for us.
“Obviously, on car number eight, we want to complete the job and win the drivers’ title. We’re in a strong position but the competition will be tough, and it won’t be an easy race.”
Added Kobayashi, who is also Toyota Racing’s team principal: “It’s been a special year for the team and a fantastic first season with the TR010 Hybrid.
“We have achieved our targets: Le Mans win, both world championships, and winning our home race. Now there is one race to go, and we want to finish on a high.
“The drivers’ world championship is still to be decided and on the number seven car we’ll push hard to win it. The points gap is pretty big, but we’ll do our best.
“We can only concentrate on our race and see what happens. I hope we can win the race for the perfect end to the season, and the best farewell to Mike.”
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