2026 World Endurance Championship

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What an absolutely fantastic race! I have slept a total of three hours in the last twenty four, and the whole way it was a three way battle between the #8 Toyota, #12 Cadillac and #20 BMW, only for it to be none of them to take the win. There was an interview in the night with Kobayashi and he seemed oddly chipper and at the time I kind of thought it was odd seeing as I didn't think they were really in contention... Boy, was I wrong!
 
I'm moderately ok with #7 winning. I think the "Kobayashi car" had been the bridesmaid of the team and its good to see him get another one. Kinda bummer LMH car held on to the streak over LMDh car, BoP this year seems to be actually parity, definitely feel like though Toyota gamed it into Le Mans to avoid being slow down. An Evo Ferrari next year will probably mean what you think it means....

So gutted for JOTA Cadillac. This is their strongest showing at Le Mans, genuinely for a major part of the race as the team with the car(s) to beat. And ended up 4th was upsetting. Those pictures of Bourdais overnight were so bad....

Happy the Corvette won, imagine how crazy it would be for GM if they got the double.
 
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Of course my favourite manufacturer in this race wins it proper in the edition which I’m not watching. :banghead: Thanks for not buying broadcasting rights in HK while you were doing that for the rest of China, Bilibili.

But I gotta say, seriously, I’m still feeling the joy for Toyota. 10 years on from that heartbreak and after all those ridicule for winning the one-horse race 5 times before being beaten by the prancing horse again, it sure as hell feels like a relief of knowing the capabilities of Toyota in endurance motorsports. A vindication, even. We know that Toyota can produce a genuinely fast car that’s way better than its peers (2014), and we know that Toyota knows how to manage this 24-hour race well enough to be in contention for overall victory (2024, although I must say I didn’t watch the entire race), but it has always come down to having one without the other or just pure bad luck (the incident involving a driver from another lower-tiered team falsely gesturing at pit lane comes to mind). So it was genuinely redeeming as a fan of the team to see them winning it in these circumstances of competition, but even more so occupying 2 of the podium places.

And even more more so to see them winning it with this banger of a livery and car. :D Genesis looks best though.
 
It hurt seeing the #12 Cadillac let it slip away slowly but surely. They controlled a good chunk of the race until the morning then things flipped of course. At least BMW kept it from being a Toyota 1-2, they were fast and consistent. Alpine, #19 Genesis and Aston did decent too and Chevy sealed the deal and at least got GM a win in GT3 class. Good race overall
 
Apparently the #7 Toyota had issues with the torque sensor, which Conway alluded to by saying they were down on power. Regardless, I think Toyota demonstrated amazing race control and strategy. Luck played a part always, but how they made up ground from near back of the hypercar field to the top steps is something to really commend.

And finally they can get that stupid "no competition" argument monkey off their back lol.
 
Didn't enjoy this year as much. Every year when I go to bed I like to sleep to the race, usually I'll put a teams cockpit stream on. All of that was plan was scuppered when a giant spider ran across my bed, I couldn't find it and really didn't want to get back into bed, but im hardcore so I did. Cue 30 minutes later while I still wearing a blue t-shirt, I see the spider run across my chest and I fly out of bed screaming. I look back and it's sat on my bed , so I look for something to put over it hoping it doesn't do one before I find a tub. I found a tin and put it over it, got some cardboard, went to Chuck it out if the window and the tin is empty. This spider was big and ugly, I spent the next hour thinking nah I ain't getting back in bed, propper spoiled my night and the race. Eventually i did because I was knackered and woke up late and was late doing some choirs so only had time to catch the last 10 minutes. That spider is still somewhere hiding around my bed. He better not eff with me tonight.
 
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What a disgrace of a race once more by Peugeot...😒 It's my favorite manufacturer but boy do they cock up...

Someone should get their bum whipped. Inacceptable after all this time and their communication after the race is just damage control. As a fan I am extremely disappointed and angry 😞
 
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It would've been nice if BMW won but I'm not complaining because they lost to Toyota, a manufacturer that has been going at it for longer than any other on the Hypercar grid. They've proven to the whole world that they can win with a huge amount of competition, thus validating their hard work and previous victories. They made smart calls from the very start and their drivers delivered on the track with a cracking pace that left the competition in tatters with seemingly no answer. Experience came to the fore and Toyota will absolutely milk this victory in their marketing. They can officially say that they are the biggest and the best manufacturer in the world. They're leading the hybrid charge, they're leading the sales charts and now they're on top of the motor racing world. If this victory isn't a ringing endorsement for the quality and reliability of Toyota products, then I don't know what is.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed the race - close battles in all classes, and a very impressive overall win from Toyota.

I didn't participate in this thread as normal because although I was watching the live feed on the FIA WEC+ app, I had paused it for about 45 mins and was watching it on catch up. 😅

The depth of the hypercar field this year was mega-impressive, and I'm sure Toyota will rank this amongst their greatest wins; I personally think Porsche have shot themselves in the foot by quitting the WEC - it would be great to have them back in, but the WEC will survive/thrive without them.

The addition of McLaren and Ford next year will be very interesting, as will be the potential rebirth of the Alpine team further down the line. Genesis were very impressive but ran out of beginner's luck, though Peugeot and AM were disappointing. Cadillac and BMW were also super impressive, while Ferrari had a bit of a mixed week.

-

As time wears on, our GTP trip to Le Mans back in 2014 becomes more and more special to me; I'd love to go back, but in many ways, I'm happy that my one and only trip to LM was with such a great bunch of people. I had a ticket for last year's race, but ended up going to the Nürburgring and Spa 24h races instead - all are magical experiences, but I'm delighted to be able to say that I've been to at least one LM 24h!
 
Great post @Touring Mars

I’ve had one LM trip in 2023 - it was insane, magical and one of the best weeks of my life. It should be on any motorsport fan’s bucket list.

I wish I could go back but I have to wait until my daughter is older. Going to try and go in 2032 for the 100th Le Mans.

Nurburgring’s centenary is next year too
 
doblocruiser
What a disgrace of a race once more by Peugeot...😒 It's my favorite manufacturer but boy do they cock up...

Someone should get their bum whipped. Inacceptable after all this time and their communication after the race is just damage control. As a fan I am extremely disappointed and angry 😞
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Peugeot seemed like they had the wrong set up for this race along with not so favorable BOP. Hopefully they can get back on track for the remainder of the year, there is 5 races left. They are too experienced of a manufacturer to be down at the bottom, even Genesis the newcomer is doing a little better than them.
 
Touring Mars
I thoroughly enjoyed the race - close battles in all classes, and a very impressive overall win from Toyota.

I didn't participate in this thread as normal because although I was watching the live feed on the FIA WEC+ app, I had paused it for about 45 mins and was watching it on catch up. 😅

The depth of the hypercar field this year was mega-impressive, and I'm sure Toyota will rank this amongst their greatest wins; I personally think Porsche have shot themselves in the foot by quitting the WEC - it would be great to have them back in, but the WEC will survive/thrive without them.

The addition of McLaren and Ford next year will be very interesting, as will be the potential rebirth of the Alpine team further down the line. Genesis were very impressive but ran out of beginner's luck, though Peugeot and AM were disappointing. Cadillac and BMW were also super impressive, while Ferrari had a bit of a mixed week.

-

As time wears on, our GTP trip to Le Mans back in 2014 becomes more and more special to me; I'd love to go back, but in many ways, I'm happy that my one and only trip to LM was with such a great bunch of people. I had a ticket for last year's race, but ended up going to the Nürburgring and Spa 24h races instead - all are magical experiences, but I'm delighted to be able to say that I've been to at least one LM 24h!
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Im currently waiting for the ferry out of France after attending this years race. Second time I've been, the last was 20 years ago when Audi wiped the floor with their new diesels.

Have to say the racing is much better than then it was last I went and the amount of screens around the place now is great, can easily follow the whole race in most places on the track. On the bad side of things is how many more spectator they pack in, it can take a looong time to get anywhere or go to the toilet.

Still what a race this year and glad I was there. Le Mans and Endurance racing has a bright future after some very difficult years. Now to recover and start planning next year ;)
 
If you know Le Mans you know you were watching an almost perfect race. With so many cars on the lead lap with "a few" hours to go everyone knew that this was a race that everyone could win. And those last 4 hours was insane, compare the last lap Car 7 did with the laps at the start of the stint, he was going all out and so was everyone else, that Ferrari doing it's 4 wheel slide into the chicanes was car ballet.. and it may be old and outdated sound, but that Cadillac roaring out of the slow cornes.. yes please!

Toyota was the lucky one, but before anyone crucifies me, you have to be the best team to get lucky :-)
 

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