Ferrari’s late Lone Star Le Mans victory left Toyota and BMW level in the drivers’ fight before Fuji on September 27.
Ferrari AF Corse capitalized on Toyota’s late failure to win Lone Star Le Mans, sending the FIA World Endurance Championship to Fuji with the two leading Hypercar crews tied and three manufacturers still fighting for the title.
Ferrari capitalizes at COTA
Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen took the lead in the No. 50 Ferrari 499P with seven laps remaining at Circuit of the Americas. A late mechanical issue for the No. 7 Toyota handed them the victory.
It capped a strong Austin weekend for Ferrari. Antonio Giovinazzi put the No. 51 499P on pole with a 1m52.445s lap, matching Jack Aitken’s listed time in the Cadillac.
Toyota and BMW score nothing
The No. 7 Toyota and No. 20 BMW both left without points, putting their respective crews level atop the Hypercar drivers’ standings.
Alessandro Pier Guidi, Giovinazzi and James Calado are 18 points back in the No. 51 Ferrari. Austin’s victory also brought the No. 50 crew into championship contention.
There is “nothing to separate” the leading drivers, while the manufacturers’ championship has become a “three-way fight at the top.”
Five points separate Toyota and BMW
Toyota still leads the manufacturers’ standings on 132 points. BMW trails by five with 127, and Ferrari has risen to 88 following its Austin victory.
Ferrari is now 44 points behind Toyota ahead of the next round. Other Hypercar teams also showed their pace in Austin, where Harry Tincknell recorded a 1m52.174s lap as the No. 007 Aston Martin Valkyrie led final practice.
Fuji is next
The championship returns for the 6 Hours of Fuji on September 27, 2026.
Toyota heads to Fuji leading the manufacturers’ standings, with BMW five points behind and Ferrari coming off the No. 50 crew’s COTA victory. The No. 7 Toyota and No. 20 BMW crews will begin the event tied at the top of the drivers’ standings.
