MOTORSPORT – THE FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) will continue to visit the kingdom until at least 2036, Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) announced yesterday.
This comes following a long-term extension of the Middle Eastern venue’s agreement with the world’s leading endurance racing series.
One of the events that constituted the calendar in FIA WEC’s inaugural campaign back in 2012, BIC has hosted 14 races to-date – with only Le Mans’ legendary Circuit de la Sarthe and Belgium’s Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps having welcomed the championship more often.
Bahrain has been a regular venue for the final race of the season, crowning countless champions over the years.
“Our new contract with FIA WEC continues Bahrain’s long-term commitment to elite motorsport, and we are proud of our shared history with the pinnacle of endurance racing,” said BIC chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa.
“Since our partnership began in the inaugural season of 2012, FIA WEC has developed to become an integral part of the global motorsport calendar, with participation and fan attendance continuing to grow at an impressive rate.
“In Bahrain, the event remains a major highlight of our racing season and we continue to see record crowds every year.
“We are therefore delighted that the spirit of Le Mans will continue in Bahrain through the 20th anniversary of the series and well beyond.
“We thank the whole FIA WEC community for placing their trust in us as we embark upon the next phase of our partnership with shared optimism and excitement for the future.”
Initially taking place over six hours, in recent seasons, the duration of Bahrain’s race has increased to eight hours – putting drivers and cars firmly to the test as they battle from day into night against the backdrop of the Sakhir desert.
With up to 54 gear changes per lap and top speeds approaching 300kph, the demanding 5.412-kilometre layout is a real test of driver skill, with its wide nature encouraging audacious overtaking manoeuvres and generating countless captivating battles over the years.
Beyond the race weekend, BIC has frequently staged the annual WEC Rookie Test and end-of-season prize-giving ceremony.
FIA WEC CEO Frederic Lequien commented: “We are delighted to have renewed our contract with BIC. Since first featuring on the FIA WEC calendar 14 years ago, it has firmly established itself as a popular stop on the schedule, with a tremendously warm welcome from the enthusiastic local team and superb organisation from start-to-finish.
“We look forward to many more exciting showdowns in Sakhir!”
Meanwhile, the WEC announced yesterday an expanded calendar for the 2027 season, which is set to feature nine rounds, with Bahrain being the championship finale from November 4 to 6.
It will be the first time in a decade that the WEC will be staging this number of races worldwide, with a stop in Britain, the 6 Hours of Silverstone, joining the schedule.
Events will continue to be held in Qatar, Italy, Belgium, France, Brazil, the US, Japan, and in the kingdom.
Bahrain’s 2026 WEC race weekend is scheduled for November 5 to 7.
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