New Zealander Brendon Hartley has kicked off the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season in the best possible fashion, claiming victory at the 6 Hours of Imola alongside Toyota teammates Sébastien Buemi and Ryō Hirakawa.
The triumph marked a milestone for Toyota Gazoo Racing, delivering its 50th win in the championship and its 100th start, as the team’s updated TR010 Hybrid made an immediate impact on debut.
Ferrari initially set the pace in front of its passionate home crowd at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, locking out the early lead with its pair of 499P Hypercars. Hartley slotted into the fight near the front and quickly worked his way back into contention after the opening phase, positioning the #8 Toyota firmly in the battle.
The turning point came through strategy rather than outright pace. Toyota rolled the dice during a crucial pit sequence by keeping the same tyres fitted, allowing Hirakawa to jump ahead and seize control of the race. From there, the contest evolved into a tense tactical fight between Toyota and Ferrari, with track position proving critical.
A Virtual Safety Car period, triggered after fellow Kiwi Nick Cassidy was stranded in the gravel, further played into Toyota’s hands, giving the leaders a well-timed opportunity to pit without sacrificing their advantage.
As the race wore on, Ferrari continued to apply pressure, but Toyota’s execution remained flawless. When Buemi climbed aboard for the closing stages, he managed the gap expertly despite looming threats, including the possibility of late rain that ultimately never arrived.
Buemi crossed the line to seal a composed and hard-fought victory, finishing just over 13 seconds clear of the chasing Ferrari, while the sister Toyota entry completed a strong double podium for the team in third.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Hartley.
“The team put in a lot of work over the last few months to prepare for this first race… It’s not often you take a race victory with a feeling like that.
Further down the field, fellow Kiwi Earl Bamber secured a top-10 result, bringing his Cadillac home eighth, while Cassidy endured a difficult outing after his earlier incident left him well down the order by the finish.
In the LMGT3 ranks, Australian driver Yasser Shahin claimed a podium finish in third, while BMW machinery took class honours in a dramatic late-race fight.
For Hartley and Toyota, however, the headlines belonged firmly at the front — a statement victory to open the season, and a reminder that the reigning powerhouse remains the benchmark in endurance racing.
Header Image: FIA WEC
