WEC Barcelona: Toyota can clinch both Hypercar titles
The newsroomUpdated on October 13, 20263 minMartin Lee from London, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
First WEC race at Barcelona (16-18 October): Toyota leads with 169 points, Buemi's #8 has 89. What is at stake in Hypercar and LMGT3, plus the weekend schedule.
Key point
Toyota can be crowned at the 6 Hours of Barcelona (18 October), the WEC's first race at the venue, ahead of next month's Monza finale.
The WEC runs its 6 Hours of Barcelona this weekend, 16 to 18 October 2026, the penultimate round of the season. It is the championship's first race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (4.657 km, 14 turns), according to the FIA. Toyota can win both the Hypercar manufacturers' and drivers' titles there.
A new venue for the WEC
The FIA stresses that this is the WEC's 50th race in Europe and the championship's 16th different venue. It is also the first addition to the calendar in two and a half years. The Catalan circuit had only hosted the 2019-20 pre-season Prologue test.
Toyota in a commanding position
In the manufacturers' standings, Toyota has 169 points, ahead of BMW (146, 23 behind) and reigning champion Ferrari (115). Among drivers:
- Toyota #8 (Buemi, Hartley, Hirakawa): 89 points;
- Toyota #7 (Conway, de Vries, Kobayashi): 79 points;
- BMW (Frijns, Rast): 75 points.
26 points remain on offer across the weekend, according to the FIA. Sébastien Buemi could become the first driver to contest 100 races in the series and chase a fifth title. He won all three previous times he led with two rounds left (2014, 2018-19 and 2023). Toyota won recently at Fuji. Mike Conway, who retires at the end of 2026, is racing his penultimate weekend.
LMGT3: Corvette close to the crown
In LMGT3, Corvette crews are close to a first title, and TF Sport is targeting the teams' trophy. The #27 Aston Martin (Heart of Racing) is best placed to pounce: winner at Austin, second at Fuji. Manthey (two Porsches), Team WRT (BMW) and VISTA AF Corse's #21 Ferrari 296 are also in the fight. Ferrari has gone 11 races without an LMGT3 win.
Spanish drivers to watch
Miguel Molina (Hypercar) races at home, as do Daniel Juncadella (Genesis), seeking a first Hypercar top ten, and Alex Riberas (Aston Martin Valkyrie #009), whose best finish this season is ninth. The FIA also notes that five different manufacturers have taken pole in the last five rounds.
Schedule
According to the FIA (Central European time): free practice on Friday 16, qualifying and Hyperpole on Saturday 17 (LMGT3 at 11:50, Hypercar at 15:40), race on Sunday 18 at 12:00.
The bottom line
Toyota arrives in Barcelona 23 points clear of BMW in the manufacturers' standings and can wrap up both Hypercar titles on Sunday. The finale follows at Monza.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 6 Hours of Barcelona?
From 16 to 18 October 2026; the six-hour race is scheduled for Sunday 18 October at 12:00 (Central European Summer Time).
Who leads the Hypercar championship?
Among drivers, the #8 Toyota (Buemi, Hartley, Hirakawa) with 89 points; among manufacturers, Toyota with 169 points ahead of BMW (146) and Ferrari (115).
What comes after Barcelona?
The season finale at Monza, next month.
Sources
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
Newsletter · free
The Friday paddock
The essentials of motorsport, every Friday in your inbox. Free, one email a week.
Choose my categories
