The World Endurance Championship resumes at Lone Star Le Mans this weekend, with the Circuit of The Americas hosting the fourth of four remaining races in the 2026 season.
Toyota versus BMW: The Hypercar Duel
At the season’s midpoint Toyota and BMW lead the Hypercar drivers’ standings, each having secured victories across the opening four events. Both brands introduced substantial winter updates, sharpening their cars to contest every lap. While the Balance of Performance remains undisclosed, the rivalry now hinges on the delicate balance of power between the TR010 Hybrid and the BMW M hybrid.
Japan’s Toyota aims to recover from a non‑point finish in São Paulo, hoping to return to the winning rhythm that saw it triumph at Imola and Le Mans in 2025. The German‑German hybrid of the German‑German manufacturer has already finished first, second and first in the last three races, underscoring its current form as the most in‑form Hypercar contender.
Ferrari’s High‑Hopes at COTA
Ferrari’s 499P, previously unbeaten in the first half of last year, has yet to register a win in 2026. Yet the track record at COTA – a front‑row lockout and podiums in 2024 – makes the Circuit of The Americas the only venue where Girona‑based AF Corse could arrest a losing streak .
Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi are in close pursuit of the top of the standings, with just a 18‑point deficit. The absence of the Qatar and Bahrain bonus‑point rounds, now replaced by six‑hour races at Barcelona and Monza, intensifies the need for a decisive result in Austin.
Cadillac Seeks First Home Podium
The Jota‑powered V‑Series.R has yet to stand on the podium at its home track, despite a promising, albeit unsatisfying, run at São Paulo where both cars finished third and fourth after front‑row qualification.
With the return of Ricky Taylor after an injury to Alex Lynn, and a sunny forecast for Sunday, Cadillac’s factory team looks to convert performance potential into a victory at COTA. A strong result could cement the marque’s place among the era‑defining Hypercar factories.
Logan Sargeant: From Formula One to LMGT3
Logan Sargeant will re‑appear at COTA after scoring his first World Endurance Championship points finish. The 25‑year‑old will now drive for Ford’s German‑owned customer outfit Proton in the LMGT3 field, a full eight months after his only F1 points finish with Williams in 2023.
After teaming with Stefano Gattuso and Giammarco Levorato to secure a season‑best fifth in Brazil, Sargeant has proven his pace in the LMDh test program and now faces the challenge of translating that into a potential top‑five of his very first full season in LMGT3.
Corvette Aims for Victory on Texas Soil
TF Sport’s Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R begins the season with a padlock on the LMGT3 lead, buoyed by the Le Mans win. Its 499P‑derived chassis is proving a formidable thorn in the side of Manthey Porsche’s consistency. However, the success ballast applied to the lead car may hinder another win, yet the team still needs the extra points to secure the championship.
Ben Keating’s career long dream of a first WEC triumph on home soil adds personal stakes to the race. The Texas‑born driver has yet to seal a victory on the Circuit of The Americas, making the Saturday a critical chance to rewrite his WEC record.
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