São Paulo Grand Prix · News
Toyota’s David Floury expects tough WEC title defence in 2027
David Floury says Toyota faces a tough 2027 WEC title defence, crediting execution for its recovery as Monza settles the drivers’ crown between its crews.
Toyota technical director David Floury expects a difficult defence of the team’s World Endurance Championship titles in 2027, despite a 2026 recovery he attributes as much to race execution as outright speed.
“Defending our titles will be tough, but we’re eager to go again next year,” Floury told fiawec.com in an interview ahead of Monza.
Toyota has already secured the manufacturers’ championship. The drivers’ title is guaranteed to one of its two crews, although their internal contest remains unresolved before the season finale.
Floury credits a more usable car and stronger execution
Floury said the TR010 HYBRID’s development targeted easier driving, simpler set-up work and more consistent performance across conditions, alongside a refreshed appearance.
His assessment of Toyota’s four victories from seven rounds was equally measured. He identified Barcelona as the only win achieved through outright performance, describing strategy and execution as important to success elsewhere, including Imola and Fuji.
The Barcelona one-two that sealed the manufacturers’ crown came after a wet start developed into changing conditions. The #8 finished ahead of the #7, with Ferrari’s #50 completing the podium.
That result settled one championship and left the drivers’ fight entirely within Toyota.
Austin setbacks remain lessons for the champions
Floury also said Toyota had addressed the hydraulic problem that ended the #7’s COTA challenge and a software fault behind the #8’s pit-lane speeding penalty. He treated those failures as shortcomings to correct rather than dismissing them as misfortune.
The emphasis on reliability sits alongside his praise for the team’s recovery: winning the championship has not removed the need to improve.
Ford and McLaren add to the 2027 challenge
Toyota’s next defence will include competition from two incoming Hypercar programmes. McLaren is preparing to enter a pair of MCL-HY prototypes in 2027, while Ford has confirmed a two-car effort using an ORECA chassis and a naturally aspirated V8.
Their arrival expands the competitive field, although neither programme’s race performance can yet be measured against Toyota’s established operation.
Monza still has a Toyota champion to decide
Before attention turns fully to next season, the Monza finale will settle which Toyota crew takes the drivers’ title.
Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryō Hirakawa lead Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries by 17 points. Kobayashi has ruled out team orders.
The race also marks Conway’s final professional outing, giving the #7 crew a chance to pair a farewell result with a championship challenge. The six-hour contest starts at 11:00 CET on Sunday 8 November.