Samwise Sportscar & Endurance Newsletter
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Toyota’s Hypercar Commitment Thrown Into Doubt by 2030 Regs
Toyota’s future in the FIA World Endurance Championship beyond 2029 has been thrown into doubt following the publication of 2030 top-class regulations, announced jointly by the FIA, ACO, and IMSA, which mandate rear-wheel-drive-only powertrains. Toyota chief motorsport officer Masaya Kaji said the change would force the manufacturer to “start development again from scratch” on any future Hypercar entry. Kaji also warned that the 2030 framework threatens Toyota’s hydrogen combustion engine programme. Toyota currently leads the 2026 WEC Hypercar manufacturers’ standings with 132 points, 36 ahead of second-placed BMW on 96.
Sources: Sportscar365
OEMs on IMSA GTP Grid: “We All Want It to Be Stronger”
IMSA’s GTP class faces a contraction in 2027 following Acura’s withdrawal from factory competition at season’s end, with the grid expected to fall from 11 to approximately nine cars across four manufacturers — BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, and Aston Martin. All four have reaffirmed their commitments. BMW M Motorsport director Andreas Roos acknowledged the situation is “not ideal,” while Cadillac’s Keely Bosn called it “a little unfortunate for the series.” Porsche boss Thomas Laudenbach said no new customer 963 entries are planned for 2027. Genesis, Ford, and McLaren are potential additions, but are not expected to debut before 2028.
Sources: Sportscar365
Heinrich Excited for GTP Title Bid With JDC-Miller “Underdogs”
Porsche factory driver Laurin Heinrich has confirmed he will race with JDC-Miller Motorsports in this weekend’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, giving up his planned Spa 24 Hours seat to pursue the IMSA GTP title. Heinrich, currently second in the GTP standings 144 points behind leader Jack Aitken, said the opportunity was “not happening every year.” He bypassed a seat at Schumacher CLRT — which has since drafted in Fred Makowiecki — to maintain his championship challenge. Heinrich described JDC-Miller as “underdogs” and drew parallels to his own early career in a family-run Formula 4 programme.
Sources: Sportscar365
Lewis to Sub for Injured Hand in Gradient Mustang at Watkins Glen
Corey Lewis will substitute for the injured Joey Hand in Gradient Racing’s Ford Mustang GT3 EVO at this weekend’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen. Hand has been ruled out after suffering a broken pelvis in a karting accident and expects to return to the seat for Road America. “I’m so bummed to not be able to race at Watkins Glen,” said Hand. Lewis, the team’s sprint race driver who also started the Rolex 24 at Daytona, will team with full-season co-drivers Jake Walker and endurance pilot Till Bechtolsheimer for the race.
Sources: Sportscar365
WEC Hypercar — Drivers
1. M. Conway / K. Kobayashi / N. de Vries — 75 pts
2. R. Frijns / R. Rast / S. van der Linde — 71 pts
3. S. Buemi / B. Hartley / R. Hirakawa — 56 pts
4. A. Pier Guidi / J. Calado / A. Giovinazzi — 39 pts
WEC Hypercar — Teams
1. Toyota — 132 pts
2. BMW — 96 pts
3. Ferrari — 62 pts
4. Alpine — 38 pts
5. Cadillac — 32 pts
6. Aston Martin — 26 pts
7. Peugeot — 15 pts
8. Genesis — 6 pts
IMSA GTP — Drivers
1. Jack Aitken — 1,760 pts
2. Laurin Heinrich — 1,616 pts
3. J. Andlauer / F. Nasr — 1,606 pts
4. R. van der Zande / N. Yelloly — 1,552 pts
IMSA GTP — Teams
1. No. 31 Cadillac Whelen Racing — 1,797 pts
2. JDC-Miller Motorsports — 1,772 pts
3. Acura Motorsports — 1,676 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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