Toyota Racing has unveiled its new 2026 LMH, the TR010 Hybrid, which is an evolution of the GR010 Hybrid that has competed in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) since 2021. The new car features a radical visual overhaul, with changes to the front bodywork, engine cover, and rear wing, as well as new sidepods and headlights. However, the changes go beyond aesthetics, with a focus on aerodynamics and drivability.
According to Toyota Racing technical director David Floury, the evolution was originally planned for 2025, but was delayed due to changes in the homologation process. The delay allowed Toyota to reassess its direction and deepen its work on the new car. The TR010 Hybrid represents the third major step in the evolution of the GR010, and is the first that has not been forced by late regulatory intervention.
The new car’s aerodynamics have been completely revisited, with a focus on making the car more consistent and easier to drive. The mass distribution of the car has not changed, and the mechanical side has not been touched. The primary objective was to improve the car’s balance and make it more drivable, rather than to increase its top speed.
The TR010 Hybrid’s livery has also been changed, with a new red and white color scheme that recalls the tribute livery run by the #7 GR010 Hybrid at Le Mans in 2024. The team has also changed its name, moving away from the Gazoo Racing branding and back to the traditional Toyota colors.
Floury emphasized that the new car is not a complete rethink, but rather a refinement of the existing package. The car still has to fit within a performance window defined by the regulations, which limits how much Toyota can reduce drag or increase downforce. The focus is on making the car more consistent and easier to drive, rather than chasing peak numbers.
Toyota has also been working to address its top-speed problem, which has been a frustration at Le Mans. However, the team is limited by the drag range in which the car can be homologated, which doesn’t give them much freedom to make significant changes.
The TR010 Hybrid has undergone two private test sessions, and the team is cautiously optimistic about its performance. However, Floury emphasized that it’s too early to draw any definitive conclusions, and that the team will have to wait for the races to see how the car performs.
Overall, the TR010 Hybrid represents a significant evolution of the GR010, with a focus on aerodynamics, drivability, and consistency. While it’s not a complete rethink, it’s a refinement of the existing package that should help Toyota compete more effectively in the WEC. However, the team is aware that the competition has not been standing still, and that it will take a strong performance to win at Le Mans.