After all cars are re-homologated in WindShear and many cars have undergone significant development it feels like we have something of a reset.
While their finite number and strict use under the series rules has been exaggerated to the level of a fundamental constant and law in physics, the use of jokers has seen an increase this year in part to the requirement to get the development done before the mandatory retesting in the North Carolina tunnel. Toyota specifically pointing out their development timetable considered this.
A lot of developments seem to have removed the extremes. Has the Cadillac worked on more straightline speed? Have Apline and Peugeot moved away from the other extreme and a little less top speed focused. These potential developments combined with the governing bodies asking for tweaks to align the cars more closely, where we have seen IMSA ask for bolt on elements to BMW and Porsche and tweaks to the Ferrari from the ACO, may have dampened some of the variety we’ve enjoyed in how different cars achieve their lap times . Hopefully, not too much to remove that interest. What is clear is that the opportunity for engineering excellence remains, with manufacturers focusing on endurance racing specific performance such as ease of driving and consistent performance.
Throw in some new tyres from Michelin and who will get to grip with those across a stint, and one lap pace, and much intrigue, and unknowns, remain. In Daytona 24 hours it was Porsche that seemed to get to grip with this best1.
We will still see some do better jobs than others – that has not been removed from the sport. It may be more subtle, but the concept of best mouse trap, best strategy, best driving, best being better remains.
IMSA GTP
In IMSA we have seen the cars on track already with all cars, except the newest car Aston Martin, sporting significant changes.
The 2026 wind-tunnel re-correlation/re-homologation cycle has landed most visibly in IMSA, where manufacturers have turned up with a mix of full Evo packages and tiny, series-level trim parts. Porsche Penske’s 963 is running an extensive aero update (its latest Evo joker kit), while BMW, Cadillac and Acura have all publicly outlined aero revisions that range from visible re-profiling to “tidy-up” refinements. Layered on top of the manufacturer-led kits, IMSA has also been using small add-on aero pieces on several cars to help align aero tuning across the different models: Marshall Pruett highlighted a gurney/wicker on the 963’s rear wheel-arch:
and a small flap on the BMW’s door edge as examples of these subtle changes as homologation-friendly adjustments.
Summary of car developments for IMSA:
- 2Porsche 963 (Porsche Penske) — Evo joker aero kit (re-profiled splitter / revised diffuser / rear-deck changes)
- Cadillac V-Series.R — Two jokers for 2026 package (aero overhaul + brake hardware change is also discussed as part of the broader update coverage) 3
- Acura ARX-06 — Evo joker aero refresh (described as “tidying up” / relatively minor vs others) 4
- BMW M Hybrid V8 — Evo joker aero update for 2026 (BMW and Sportscar365 both describe aero changes) 5
- Aston Martin Valkyrie — reported as not using jokers 6
WEC Hypercar
The same re-correlation work has created a clear fork in approach: some manufacturers have confirmed Evo joker usage to reposition the car’s aero “working window,” while others are holding their main package and leaning on set-up, execution, and BoP. Toyota has confirmed an Evo step on its updated specification, and BMW has likewise communicated aero updates spanning its combined WEC/IMSA program. The overall theme is less “new concept car” and more “re-anchoring” — either via a formal Evo spend, or by staying put and letting the rule-set and operational sharpness determine the spread.
It is likely that we shall see something similar to the IMSA BoP reset in FIA WEC.
Summary of car developments for WEC:
- Toyota GR010 → “TR010” — Evo joker used for 2026 aero/styling update7
- BMW M Hybrid V8 — same Evo joker aero update applies in WEC as well
- Alpine A424 — Evo joker aero update for 2026 8
- Cadillac V-Series.R — updated package spans WEC + IMSA
- Ferrari 499P — Ferrari says no new joker (while reporting also notes small aero tweaks tied to re-homologation work) 9
- Aston Martin Valkyrie — reported as not using jokers 6
- Peugeot 9X8 — reporting around 2026 focuses on livery; one report suggests Peugeot is among the few not using a joker, while also noting there may be minor tweaks 11
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