WEC 2026 BEGINS AT IMOLA: EXPECTATIONS RISE FOR A WIDE-OPEN SEASON
The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is set to begin at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, after the season opener was moved from Losail International Circuit in Lusail, Qatar, which was postponed to a later date.
A season with real stakes
The 2026 calendar still holds eight rounds, but the opener at Imola, which last hosted the season’s opener in 2020, changes the mood heading into the year. Instead of starting in the Middle East, teams will arrive in Europe with a more traditional race-week rhythm for the first big battle of the season.
The provisional entry list features 35 full-season cars, however, the grid will look slightly different in 2026, as Porsche has stepped away from the Hypercar category after announcing the retirement of its prototype programme for WEC only.
One of the biggest stories is the arrival of Genesis, the performance division of Hyundai. The brand enters the Hypercar class with the Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001, marking Hyundai’s first factory programme in top-level endurance racing. The new project arrives with a strong driver line-up that includes Dani Juncadella, Pipo Derani, Mathieu Jaminet and Paul‑Loup Chatin, giving the manufacturer a solid foundation for its debut season.
Hypercar contenders evolving
Several established manufacturers are entering the new campaign with updates to their cars and line-ups.
Toyota Gazoo Racing has introduced an updated version of the Toyota GR010 Hybrid for the 2026 season, the team has kept its six-driver roster unchanged, retaining the continuity that helped secure multiple championships in recent years.
Ferrari remains one of the focal points of the championship. The factory continues with its two works entries of the Ferrari 499P while the customer programme run by AF Corse returns with the No. 83 car. Ferrari has also confirmed its long-term commitment to the Hypercar category through the end of the 2029 season.
Elsewhere, BMW and Team WRT continue their partnership with an evolved version of the BMW M Hybrid V8 as the German manufacturer aims to build on the progress made during its first seasons in the category.
Peugeot also heads into 2026 with adjustments to its programme, adding drivers such as Nick Cassidy and Théo Pourchaire to its Hypercar effort while continuing development of the Peugeot 9X8.
Meanwhile, Alpine has revealed updates to its Alpine A424 as the programme enters a key phase of development. The team has also expanded its driver roster with additions such as António Félix da Costa and young French talent Victor Martins.
On the American side of the grid, Cadillac continues its partnership with Hertz Team JOTA, where Jack Aitken joins the driver line-up as part of the team’s strengthened Hypercar effort.
Driver changes and early-season absences
Photo from: Andreas Beil
There are already driver changes and temporary replacements ahead of the first round of the season.
One notable absence will be Ben Keating, who pilots the No. 33 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R for TF Sport. Keating is sidelined for the opening two rounds after suffering a broken elbow, with Blake McDonald stepping in to help the team maintain momentum.
In the Hypercar class, Alex Lynn is also set to miss the first two races while undergoing treatment for a neck issue, and both JOTA cars will race with 2 drivers each, since Aitken will be taking part in the Long Beach round in IMSA.
Eduardo Barrichello will also miss the first round at Imola and he will be replaced by Belgian driver Kobe Pauwels in the #23 of Heart of Racing.
What Imola should tell us
The race at Imola is unlikely to settle the title fight, but it should reveal plenty about who adapted best in the off-season.
Between new manufacturers, updated Hypercars, and a reshaped grid following Porsche’s departure, the 2026 season begins with a very intriguing scenario.
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