Sébastien Buemi and Kamui Kobayashi praised Toyota Racing’s remarkable recovery from a difficult 2025 season after the Japanese manufacturer secured its eighth FIA World Endurance Manufacturers’ Championship with a dominant one-two finish at the 2026 6 Hours of Barcelona.
Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryō Hirakawa claimed victory in the #8 Toyota TR010 Hybrid, finishing just 0.583 seconds ahead of teammates Mike Conway, Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries in the sister #7 entry. The result secured Toyota’s fifth Manufacturers’ Championship in six seasons of the Hypercar era and its first title under the Toyota Racing name.
Although the championship celebrations marked the culmination of a successful recovery, both drivers emphasised that the season was not yet complete. With the Hypercar Drivers’ Championship still undecided, Toyota’s two crews will contest the final round at Monza without team orders.
Buemi celebrates Toyota’s recovery from difficult 2025 campaign
Toyota entered the 2026 season determined to recover from a challenging 2025 campaign, during which the manufacturer struggled to consistently match its Hypercar rivals.
The introduction of the TR010 Hybrid helped restore Toyota’s competitiveness, allowing the team to return to the front of the field and establish itself as a leading championship contender.
Its Barcelona success represented another important milestone, with the #8 crew securing its third victory of the season and Toyota recording its first one-two finish since Bahrain in 2025.
Buemi, who celebrated his 100th FIA WEC appearance at Barcelona, highlighted the collective effort behind the manufacturer’s resurgence.
“It’s amazing that the team has managed to fight back after a very difficult 2025,” Buemi said. “It shows that by working hard together, we can come back very strongly. Thanks and congratulations to the whole team for this fantastic year, but there is one more race to go [in the Drivers’ battle] and the best crew will win.”
The Swiss driver’s comments reflected the significance of Toyota’s return to championship-winning form. Having endured a difficult previous season, the manufacturer has secured both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Manufacturers’ Championship during the TR010 Hybrid’s debut campaign.
However, Buemi also acknowledged the importance of the remaining Drivers’ Championship battle, with the two Toyota crews now the only contenders for the title.
Toyota dominates challenging Barcelona conditions
Toyota’s title-winning performance began in difficult conditions after rain left the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya wet ahead of Sunday’s race.
Genesis Magma Racing initially occupied pole position, but the opening lap quickly changed the competitive order. Dani Juncadella briefly moved ahead of pole-sitter André Lotterer before running through the gravel at Turn 5, allowing Buemi to take the lead in the #8 Toyota.
Meanwhile, de Vries made rapid progress from ninth on the grid, moving into second as Toyota established control of the race.
Although Buemi received a five-second penalty for a starting procedure infringement, the punishment did little to disrupt Toyota’s advantage. The team maintained strong pace throughout the changing conditions, with Hartley, Hirakawa, Conway and Kobayashi continuing to build on the progress made during the opening hour.
The two TR010 Hybrids eventually completed a formation finish, with Hirakawa crossing the line narrowly ahead of de Vries.
Ferrari’s Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen completed the podium in the #50 Ferrari 499P, finishing 39.725 seconds behind the victorious Toyota.
The result delivered Toyota’s fourth race victory of the season and secured the Manufacturers’ Championship with one round remaining.
Kobayashi credits consistency for eighth Manufacturers’ Championship
Toyota Racing Team Principal and #7 driver Kobayashi also reflected on the manufacturer’s recovery, identifying the improvements made during 2026 as an important factor behind its championship success.
Although Toyota did not always possess the fastest Hypercar throughout the season, the Japanese manufacturer consistently maximised its opportunities and collected valuable championship points.
Kobayashi credited the entire organisation for its contribution, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong performances across different circuits and racing conditions.
“I think we have made a huge step this year,” Kobayashi said. “We haven’t always had the best car, but we’ve been very strong and consistent in the races and that has meant we’ve scored a lot of points. A big thanks to the Toyota family for supporting our project. Now, we have to enjoy the last race, when we will have no team orders, so I think we can look forward to a big fight!”
The Japanese driver’s comments underline the importance of consistency throughout Toyota’s championship-winning campaign.
The team entered Barcelona with a 23-point advantage over BMW but extended that margin to an unassailable 58 points through its one-two finish.
Toyota now leads the Manufacturers’ Championship with 212 points, ahead of BMW on 154 and Ferrari on 130. With only 44 points available at the season finale, the manufacturer has already secured the title.
The result also strengthens Toyota’s position as the most successful manufacturer of the Hypercar era, having secured five championships since the category’s introduction in 2021.
No team orders as Toyota prepares for Monza title battle
Despite securing the Manufacturers’ Championship, Toyota’s season will conclude with an internal battle for the Hypercar Drivers’ title.
Buemi, Hartley and Hirakawa enter the final round with 114 points after securing consecutive victories at Fuji and Barcelona. Meanwhile, Conway, Kobayashi and de Vries remain second on 97 points, leaving a 17-point gap between the two crews.
The championship therefore remains mathematically open, with 26 points available during the final race weekend.
Kobayashi’s confirmation that Toyota will not impose team orders adds another dimension to the title fight, allowing both crews to compete for the championship.
The #8 enters Monza with the advantage after a strong conclusion to the season, while the #7 must overcome the deficit to claim the title.
Although the crews compete within the same manufacturer, both have demonstrated their ability to challenge for victories throughout 2026. Their performances have contributed to Toyota’s Manufacturers’ Championship success and ensured that the Drivers’ title will also go to a Toyota crew.
The season finale therefore represents an opportunity for the team to celebrate its collective achievements while allowing its drivers to determine the remaining championship on track.
Toyota targets championship double at Monza
Toyota’s eighth Manufacturers’ Championship represents a significant achievement following its struggles in 2025, particularly given the increasing competitiveness of the Hypercar field.
The manufacturer has now secured another world title alongside victories at Le Mans, Fuji and Barcelona, demonstrating the progress made through the introduction of the TR010 Hybrid.
However, the Drivers’ Championship remains the final objective for both Toyota crews.
For Buemi, Hartley and Hirakawa, the challenge will be to protect their 17-point advantage and convert their recent momentum into the championship. Meanwhile, Conway, Kobayashi and de Vries must deliver a strong final performance to overturn the deficit.
The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship concludes with the 6 Hours of Monza on 6–8 November.
With the Manufacturers’ Championship already secured and Kobayashi promising no team orders, Toyota’s two crews will now settle the final championship battle between themselves, bringing a successful season to a potentially dramatic conclusion.
