P1racenews AI automatic summary:
As major new manufacturers line up drivers for their programmes but Porsche uncertainty stalls the market, here’s who we expect to end up where on the 2026 WEC grid
Heading into the 2026 WEC season, the driver market is buzzing with nine potential manufacturers for the Hypercar grid and teams like Ford and McLaren investing in long-term development.
However, uncertainty looms as some teams await clarity on Porsche’s future in the championship, which could impact the availability of top-class drivers.
With Porsche’s entry for 2026 still unconfirmed, speculation arises about potential driver changes, such as Michael Christensen’s possible departure and a shuffle among IMSA drivers like Mathieu Jaminet, Matt Campbell, Nick Tandy, or Felipe Nasr.
Meanwhile, at Toyota, stability reigns as established drivers like Sébastien Buemi, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries are set to continue in their respective cars for the upcoming season.
Cadillac Team Jota and BMW are also shaping up their line-ups for 2026, with unresolved issues such as finding a replacement for Jenson Button and maintaining a talented pool of drivers across their cars.
As the 2026 season approaches, the dynamic driver market and manufacturer developments promise an exciting and competitive WEC campaign.
