The Qatar 1812km – initially scheduled to stage the opening spherical of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship on 26-28 March – has been formally postponed till later within the 12 months.
FIA WEC administration has been in fixed dialogue with the Qatar Motor & Motorbike Federation (QMMF) in gentle of the present and evolving geopolitical scenario within the Center East. With the security and safety of rivals, personnel and followers of the utmost significance, the choice has been taken to delay the occasion that had been as a result of happen on 26-28 March.
Following additional discussions with our colleagues at Lusail Worldwide Circuit (LIC), the place the race is held, a brand new date for the Qatar 1812km throughout the second half of the marketing campaign might be finalised and communicated sooner or later.
The primary spherical of the season will consequently now be the 6 Hours of Imola within the Emilia-Romagna area of Italy on 17-19 April.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, Fédération Internationale de l’Vehicle (FIA), mentioned: “The security and wellbeing of our group will all the time be the FIA’s first precedence, and I thank our Member Membership the Qatar Motor & Motorbike Federation, Lusail Worldwide Circuit, the ACO and our championship colleagues for the measured and collaborative strategy that has led to this choice.
“Because the opening occasion of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Qatar 1812km holds a particular place for a lot of followers, drivers and groups alike, and we’ll work carefully with all concerned to reschedule the race for later within the 2026 season.
“The FIA continues to watch developments throughout the area and our ideas stay with all these affected by these current occasions as we hope for calm, security and a return to stability.”
Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, President, Qatar Motor & Motorbike Federation and Lusail Worldwide Circuit, mentioned: “Following in-depth discussions with the FIA World Endurance Championship and all related stakeholders, the Qatar Motor & Motorbike Federation and Lusail Worldwide Circuit respect and assist FIA WEC’s choice to postpone the Qatar 1812km race.
“We thank our followers, groups and companions for his or her understanding and continued assist, and stay up for welcoming everybody again to Lusail Worldwide Circuit.”
Pierre Fillon, President, Vehicle Membership de l’Ouest (ACO), mentioned: “Before everything, I need to stress that our major ideas are with the victims of this horrible battle. At occasions like these, sporting pursuits are clearly secondary, which is why a choice has been rapidly taken that the occasion can not proceed these days.
“We’re working laborious with Lusail Worldwide Circuit and the Qatar Motor & Motorbike Federation to seek out the most effective various to permit the Qatar 1812km to happen at a later date in 2026, and we thank all events for his or her earnest assist, cooperation and understanding on this matter.”
Frédéric Lequien, CEO, FIA World Endurance Championship, mentioned: “The Qatar 1812km is an integral a part of the FIA WEC calendar, and I supply my honest because of Lusail Worldwide Circuit and the Qatar Motor & Motorbike Federation for his or her shut collaboration.
“We now have all been working hand-in-hand since Saturday morning to seek out the most effective answer for staging the occasion, and whereas we nonetheless want a number of extra days to finalise the precise revised date, I can affirm it is going to be throughout the second half of the 2026 season. We’ll present extra data as quickly as it’s out there.”
