Presently, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) has taken a major role in the development of a new race car. Toyota has indeed understood this for some time since the Japanese manufacturer was already utilizing this tool during the era of the famous GT-One at the end of the 1990s.

Team Peugeot TotalEnergies begins the next chapter in the evolution of the Peugeot 9X8 ahead of the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship season.

Drawing on the experience gained since the car&#39;s debut in the Hypercar category, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies is working on a series of technical evolutions aimed at enhancing performance,&nbsp;efficiency&nbsp;and competitiveness. This latest step marks an important milestone in the ongoing development of the Peugeot&nbsp;9X8&nbsp;as the team progresses towards the approval of its planned evolutions for 2027.&nbsp;

&quot;Since its debut,&nbsp;the Peugeot&nbsp;9X8&nbsp;has been a platform in constant evolution. Competing at the highest level of endurance racing means continuously learning,&nbsp;adapting&nbsp;and progressing,&quot;&nbsp;said&nbsp;Emmanuel Esnault, Team Principal, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies.&nbsp;

&quot;The intensity of competition&nbsp;at a world championship level&nbsp;reinforces our determination to keep evolving. Our&nbsp;objective&nbsp;is clear: to position&nbsp;the&nbsp;9X8&nbsp;consistently among the top contenders. As we look ahead to 2027, the team is taking the next step in its development, focused on a revised approach to performance,&nbsp;efficiency&nbsp;and design. This work is a key milestone in preparing the next chapter of the Peugeot&nbsp;9X8&nbsp;story&nbsp;and perpetuating the legacy of Peugeot&nbsp;in endurance racing.&quot;&nbsp;

It is worth recalling that the No. 94 and No. 93 Peugeot 9X8s finished 11th and 12th respectively in the latest edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, four and five laps behind the winning Toyota GR010 Hybrid.

The Peugeot 9X8 enters its next phase of development

Three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Ferrari 499P continues to evolve. At Monza, the Italian manufacturer has launched a new phase of testing to prepare the next evolution of its Hypercar for the 2027 season.

With the 95th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans set to take place from 9&ndash;13 June 2027, Ferrari is continuing the development of its 499P. The Maranello-based manufacturer recently completed a full day of testing at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, evaluating new technical and aerodynamic solutions ahead of the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) season.

The programme underlines a fundamental aspect of endurance racing: even winning cars never stop evolving.

<h2>At Monza, Ferrari Is Already Writing the Next Chapter of the 499P</h2>

At the legendary Italian circuit, Antonio Fuoco, Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and Miguel Molina shared driving duties in the Ferrari 499P. The goal was not to chase lap times, but to explore new development directions.

Like an artist refining an already acclaimed masterpiece, Ferrari continues to evaluate a range of technical and aerodynamic configurations. Several solutions are currently under assessment before the car&#39;s final homologation for the 2027 season. Every stint, every piece of driver feedback and every data point collected helps shape the next evolution of the Prancing Horse&#39;s Hypercar.

<h2>A Hypercar That Never Stops Improving</h2>

Since making its FIA WEC debut at Sebring in 2023, the Ferrari 499P has established itself as one of the benchmark cars of the Hypercar era.

Its record speaks for itself: seven victories, twenty-four podium finishes, nine pole positions and, above all, three consecutive wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 2023 and 2025. That momentum also enabled Ferrari to secure both the FIA WEC Manufacturers&#39; and Drivers&#39; World Championship titles in 2025.

Yet those achievements are not the finish line. They are the foundation for further progress. In endurance racing, a car is never truly finished; it continues to develop with every kilometre, much like an athlete who keeps training after winning a medal.

The Monza test once again highlights why the 24 Hours of Le Mans is far more than a race. It is a proving ground where manufacturers constantly push the boundaries of technology, performance and reliability.

By preparing the next evolution of the 499P for 2027 today, Ferrari is demonstrating that past success guarantees nothing for tomorrow. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, every edition starts with a clean slate. It is this relentless pursuit of progress that fuels the legend of the race and makes every new generation of Hypercars a promise of even greater competition.

Monza will also host the final round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) season, with the race taking place on Sunday, 8 November.

Ferrari Tests an Updated Version of the 499P at Monza

The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign will conclude with a pair of European races in Spain and Italy, after ongoing regional developments affecting freight and travel arrangements obliged the cancellation of the planned events in Qatar and Bahrain.

The final two rounds, originally scheduled to take place in Qatar and Bahrain, will instead be held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

The inaugural 6 Hours of Barcelona will take place over the weekend of 16-18 October, and will mark the first time FIA WEC has visited the track, which has in recent years successfully hosted the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup.

Monza, meanwhile, has a long association with the pinnacle of international endurance racing stretching back more than 60 years, having welcomed the FIA World Sportscar Championship on multiple occasions &ndash; yielding victories for heroes of the sport such as John Surtees, Mario Andretti and Jacky Ickx.

From 2021 to 2023, FIA WEC travelled to &lsquo;The Temple of Speed&rsquo; for three consecutive seasons, resulting in triumphs for Toyota and Alpine. The 2026 edition of the 6 Hours of Monza will be held on 6-8 November. The calendar change is subject to the approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Lequien, CEO, FIA WEC, said:

&ldquo;We have been closely monitoring developments in the Middle East over recent months. A few weeks ago, we were optimistic about being able to race in Qatar and Bahrain, but unfortunately, the present situation obliges us to switch to an alternative plan.

&ldquo;We have duly resolved to replace those two end-of-season rounds with Barcelona and Monza. Logistically, it was imperative to take this decision now to allow manufacturers, teams and the FIA WEC organisation to make all necessary arrangements.

&ldquo;I would like to warmly thank Qatar and Bahrain for their understanding in these times. We have been in constant dialogue with both tracks and their national federations, and are proud of the close, long-standing relationships we have built in the Middle East. They are hugely important and well-established events in FIA WEC, and will remain so for many years to come.&rdquo;

Pierre Fillon, President, Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest, said:

&ldquo;We are navigating an exceptionally complex period in the Middle East. Together with Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Lequien, we have been monitoring developments on a daily basis and working closely and transparently with all stakeholders to identify the best possible solution.

&ldquo;The ACO has built strong and lasting relationships with governments, motorsport federations, promoters and partners across the Middle East. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our colleagues in Qatar and Bahrain for their remarkable commitment and for the considerable efforts they have made over recent weeks in an attempt to preserve these two events.

&ldquo;We are deeply disappointed that we will not be able to race in Qatar and Bahrain this year. These countries have become important members of the FIA World Endurance Championship family, and I want to be very clear &ndash; we are fully committed to returning to both venues in 2027 as scheduled. We already look forward to being reunited with our partners and fans there.

&ldquo;In the meantime, I would also like to thank Barcelona and Monza for their responsiveness and for welcoming the World Championship at such short notice. I have no doubt that both circuits will provide an outstanding stage for endurance racing.&rdquo;

His Excellency, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said:

&ldquo;I am incredibly proud of the collaboration that will enable Barcelona and Monza to host FIA World Endurance Championship rounds later this year. The FIA has worked closely with our partners in Qatar and Bahrain in recent months to explore every option to preserve both events this season, but due to the ongoing situation in the region, the safety of our teams, colleagues and motorsport fans remains our highest priority. These are never easy decisions, but protecting the wellbeing of our motorsport community will always come first.

&ldquo;My thanks to all of our Member Clubs who have helped to make these updates possible, Lusail International Circuit, Bahrain International Circuit and our championship colleagues whose partnership and support throughout this process reflects the very best of our sport. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the situation in the region, and we look forward to returning when circumstances allow.&rdquo;

Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, President, Qatar Motor &amp; Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC), said:&nbsp;

&ldquo;We fully respect the decision taken by FIA WEC to call off this year&rsquo;s Qatar 1812km. Our commitment to this partnership remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to working closely with both the FIA and FIA WEC to deliver an exceptional event when the championship returns to Lusail International Circuit.

&ldquo;We are grateful to our fans, partners, teams and the wider motorsport community for their continued support, understanding and confidence. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the near future.&rdquo;

Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive, Bahrain International Circuit, said:

&ldquo;Over recent weeks, we have been in close coordination with our colleagues at FIA WEC and other stakeholders. Whilst we are naturally disappointed not to be hosting the pinnacle of world endurance racing in 2026, we support the decision, which is in the best interests of all involved.

&ldquo;On behalf of all of us at BIC, I thank the entire FIA WEC community for their support and we look forward to welcoming the return of the series next year, together with fans from all around the world.&rdquo;

The modifications to the series&rsquo; 2026 schedule have no impact upon the nine-round 2027 calendar, which remains <a href="https://www.fiawec.com/en/news/fia-wec-reveals-nine-round-2027-calendar-as-series-expands/13598">as announced on 12 June</a>.

FIA WEC confirms venues for final two rounds of 2026

The spectacular action Hypercars deliver at Le Mans is undeniable. Yet, some of the most remarkable accomplishments kick off weeks earlier. To reach the circuit, racing cars, parts, tools and teams travel thousands of kilometres. As the winner of the 2026 Sustainable Endurance Award, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA demonstrates its expertise in behind-the-scenes logistics.

24 Hours of Le Mans&nbsp;competitors leave nothing to chance. So many variables &ndash; like&nbsp;suspension settings, pit stop precision&nbsp;and&nbsp;tyre selection &ndash; can determine the outcome of the&nbsp;race. Well&nbsp;before the cars take&nbsp;the track, teams face a variety of&nbsp;challenges&nbsp;transporting personnel, equipment&nbsp;and infrastructure to the circuit. For Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA, this preparation has become an arena for innovation&nbsp;where every decision is designed to balance efficiency and&nbsp;responsibility.

<h2>a race that begins across the Atlantic</h2>

For teams competing at the highest level of endurance racing, making the journey&nbsp;to Le Mans is a monumental logistical undertaking. From racing cars and spare parts to tools, IT equipment&nbsp;and hospitality facilities, hundreds of items must arrive at the right place at the right time.

This year, Cadillac started reworking&nbsp;its process. Now&nbsp;90% of the equipment shipped from the U.S.&nbsp;crosses the Atlantic by sea, compared to 70% in 2025. This choice &mdash; slower but more environmentally responsible &mdash; illustrates a profound shift in the preparation&nbsp;for an event like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The team also modified&nbsp;its routines after arriving in Europe. Members of the American programme travel from Paris to Le Mans by high-speed train rather than by air, while Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA opts for road transport from its U.K. workshops. Several key pieces of technical equipment are now stored in Europe between events, rather than making a round trip across the Atlantic after every race.

<h2>meticulous organisation</h2>

For Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA, logistics is no longer just a matter of transport. It is now an&nbsp;exercise in anticipation. What tools can be purchased locally? What equipment can remain in Europe? How can travel be minimised without compromising the team&#39;s efforts? These are all questions that have become a&nbsp;crucial aspect&nbsp;of preparing for Le Mans.

This approach&nbsp;extends to hospitality facilities (reused year after year) and&nbsp;to the focused and&nbsp;precise management of energy and resource consumption during the event. It is a comprehensive strategy that helped set Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA apart at the 94th 24 Hours.

<h2>Le Mans: a challenge on and off the track</h2>

This legendary race&nbsp;is very much about the men and women who, weeks before the start, coordinate a veritable ballet to ensure everything is ready on time.

Part of the&nbsp;DNA of endurance racing is mobilising&nbsp;logistics specialists and engineers alike, as well as transport managers and mechanics because each individual&nbsp;plays a vital role in ensuring the cars are ready to hit the track&nbsp;under the best possible conditions.

In presenting the 2026 Sustainable Endurance Award by DHL (Hypercar class) to Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA, the jury panel&nbsp;recognised the team&#39;s ability to rethink essential behind-the-scenes aspects of the race. It serves as a reminder that at Le Mans&nbsp;endurance racing is about more than just the 24 hours spent on the circuit. It begins long before that&nbsp;sometimes thousands of kilometres away from the starting line.

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA's journey to the 24 Hours of Le Mans

CFD is used to study air flow on the car body: the more resistance the air encounters, the slower the car goes and the greater amount of energy must be produced to counter the the resistance and allow the car to move forward. It is one of the tasks entrusted to Hans Wilmink, CFD engineer in the aero department of Toyota&#39;s competition division. In this domaine, &quot;we can always find improvements to make,&quot; as explains the native of Holland (hired by Toyota in 1997) in this video...

	<img class="imgVideo" id="3669" src="/wpphpFichiers/video/3669-thisisengineering-this-is-hans-wilmink.jpg" />

	&nbsp;

	Text: C&eacute;cile Bonardel / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

	Vid&eacute;o: YouTube - Toyota Motorsport Channel

WEC - Toyota and CFD: "we can always find improvements to make" (video)

Related News

The Peugeot 9X8 enters its next phase of development

Ferrari Tests an Updated Version of the 499P at Monza

FIA WEC confirms venues for final two rounds of 2026

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA's journey to the 24 Hours of Le Mans

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