MOTORSPORT – BAHRAIN has retained its position as the final round for next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
An eight-race calendar for the 2026 campaign was released yesterday by the series organisers, with the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain taking up the season-ending spot for yet another year.
The kingdom’s endurance racing spectacle has been set for November 7 in 2026, marking the culmination of an eight-month schedule that also kicks off in the Gulf with the Qatar 1,812km on March 28.
For the third consecutive season, the FIA WEC will visit five different regions in 2026, including Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East.
The dates for 2026 have been approved at the FIA World Motor Sport Council reunion in Macau.
Following the opening round in Lusail, which will also stage the traditional Prologue group test, the championship will return to Europe for rounds two, three, and four at Imola in Italy, Spa in Belgium, and Le Mans in France, respectively.
The second half of the calendar then consists of long-haul events, including Sao Paulo in Brazil in July, Austin in the US and Fuji in Japan in September, and then the grand finale at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, where champions will be crowned yet again.
“We are pleased to present our 2026 FIA WEC calendar, which reflects the series’ success by building upon a winning formula and format,” FIA WEC CEO Frederic Lequien commented.
“All eight events have established themselves as firm favourites amongst competitors and fans. Every circuit offers its own unique characteristics and challenges – and invariably brings out the best from our incredible drivers, cars and teams. We look forward to continuing to put on a thrilling show all around the world.”
Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) president Pierre Fillon added: “We are thrilled by the growth of the FIA WEC in recent years, a large part of which can be attributed to the series’ stability in terms of partners, participants and venues.
“The FIA WEC offers an irresistible platform for manufacturers eager to do battle for supremacy, and the 2026 calendar will once again enable them to showcase their skills and ingenuity to a highly-invested global audience.”
The ACO are the organisers of the FIA WEC.
The ongoing 2025 season also features eight rounds, and it is currently in France for this weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
This year’s fifth meeting will then take place in Sao Paulo on July 13, and then round six will be held in Austin on September 7.
The season’s seventh and penultimate meeting will take place in Fuji on September 28, paving the way for the championship finale in the kingdom on November 8.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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