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Toyota’s WEC Hypercar has undergone a major upgrade for 2026 to try to end its recent poor run. Thibaut Villemant delves into it
Toyota Racing unveiled the first official images of its 2026 LMH for the World Endurance Championship last week, showcasing a visually striking overhaul that immediately captured attention. The lack of detailed technical data and a clear explanation of the car’s purpose left many questions unanswered. The TR010 Hybrid is not a brand-new Hypercar but rather a refined evolution of the GR010 Hybrid that has been competing in the WEC since 2021, focusing on adapting to regulatory constraints.
The decision to introduce the TR010 evolution was originally planned for 2025 but got delayed due to external factors involving homologation changes. The shift in direction was fueled by the need to bounce back after a challenging 2025 season, making the evolution a deliberate and strategic move rather than a rushed response. The visual and aerodynamic changes to the TR010, along with a focus on integrating Toyota’s road car styling, mark a significant step forward in the car’s evolution.
The revised livery of the TR010, replacing the black scheme with red and white reminiscent of the iconic 1998 GT-One tribute livery, showcases the team’s commitment to honoring its history while embracing innovation. The deepened work and reassessment during the delay offered Toyota Racing the chance to refine their approach and strive for top performance at the upcoming Le Mans 24 Hours. The TR010 Hybrid’s evolution represents a deliberate and calculated effort to position Toyota back on top in the Hypercar era of endurance racing.
