SHERIDAN, WYOMING -- June 6, 2026 -- Toyota Racing is heading to the Circuit de la Sarthe with a clear target: a sixth victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the most demanding endurance race on the planet. The 94th edition of the legendary French classic takes place on 13–14 June, and Toyota will field two TR010 HYBRID Hypercars against a 62-car grid featuring 18 Hypercars from eight different manufacturers. With over 300,000 fans expected trackside and the updated TR010 HYBRID making its Le Mans debut, the stakes have rarely felt higher for a team that already holds the record for the fastest-ever lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Two Cars, Six Drivers, One Goal
Toyota's challenge will be carried by two crews. The #7 TR010 HYBRID is driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries, while the #8 is shared by Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryō Hirakawa. Kobayashi also serves as Team Principal, giving him a unique dual perspective on the race week ahead.
The TR010 HYBRID is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain developed at Toyota's Higashi-Fuji technical centre, capable of more than 700 PS and running on 100% renewable racing fuel. For 2026, the car arrives with aerodynamic adjustments and a dynamic new look, and carries Toyota's new team slogan — For the Engineering Race — which frames the team's identity around technical excellence and relentless refinement rather than external distractions.
A Strong Start to the Season
The TR010 HYBRID arrives at Le Mans with a confidence-building opening to its 2026 WEC campaign. At the season opener in Imola in April, the #8 crew took outright victory, with the #7 finishing third on the podium. The subsequent round at Spa-Francorchamps in May was more challenging, but both cars fought for the podium and collected points, keeping Toyota competitive in the World Championship standings heading into round three.
Le Mans is the third round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship, and for Toyota it represents a 28th entry at the event. As five-time winners, the team knows better than anyone what it takes to survive and conquer 24 hours on this particular circuit.
Why Le Mans Is Like No Other Race
The Circuit de la Sarthe presents a challenge that cannot be replicated anywhere else in WEC. At 13.626 km it is the longest circuit on the calendar, and uniquely, it incorporates sections of public road used by everyday traffic for the rest of the year. The combination of very long straights, heavy braking zones, tight chicanes and high-speed corners pushes both car and driver to their absolute limit — and the added complexity of night-time racing means there is no let-up across the full 24 hours. The smallest mistake from any member of the team, on track or in the pit lane, can decide the outcome.
The race week begins with a test day on Sunday 7 June — the only chance to run on the circuit before official sessions open. Free practice and qualifying begin on Wednesday 10 June, with Hyperpole sessions on Thursday evening determining pole position and the top grid slots. The race itself starts at 4pm local time on Saturday 13 June.
The Drivers on What Le Mans Means
The mood across both crews is one of quiet confidence mixed with clear-eyed respect for the challenge ahead. Hartley, a Le Mans winner, acknowledged that Toyota has come close in recent years without converting, adding that the focus must be on executing the best possible race rather than watching the opposition. De Vries, the only driver in either crew yet to win Le Mans, is targeting a first victory alongside team-mates who have all achieved it at least once before.
Mini FAQ
Q: When does the Le Mans 24 Hours start? A: The race begins at 4pm local time on Saturday 13 June, running through to Sunday 14 June.
Q: How many times has Toyota won Le Mans? A: Toyota has won Le Mans five times and is chasing a sixth victory in 2026.
Q: What power unit does the TR010 HYBRID use? A: A 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain producing more than 700 PS, running on 100% renewable racing fuel.
Q: How can fans follow the race remotely? A: Toyota Racing's dedicated Le Mans hub at www.toyota-racing.com/le-mans-special-2026 offers live onboard cameras and additional content.
Follow Toyota Racing's full Le Mans 24 Hours challenge live at Toyota Racing.