Following the postponement of the Qatar 1812km from its unique date in March to later within the yr, the choice has now been taken – because of the continued uncertainty within the area – to exchange the ultimate two rounds with races on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
The inaugural 6 Hours of Barcelona will happen over the weekend of 16-18 October, and can mark the primary time FIA WEC has visited the observe, which has in recent times efficiently hosted the European Le Mans Collection and Michelin Le Mans Cup.
Monza, in the meantime, has an extended affiliation with the top of worldwide endurance racing stretching again greater than 60 years, having welcomed the FIA World Sportscar Championship on a number of events – yielding victories for heroes of the game reminiscent of John Surtees, Mario Andretti and Jacky Ickx.
From 2021 to 2023, FIA WEC travelled to ‘The Temple of Pace’ for 3 consecutive seasons, leading to triumphs for Toyota and Alpine. The 2026 version of the 6 Hours of Monza will likely be held on 6-8 November. The calendar change is topic to the approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
This announcement comes alongside additional updates to the Worldwide Sporting Calendar, together with for the FIA Formula One World Championship, and the FIA Karting World Championship occasion that was resulting from happen in Bahrain concurrently with the FIA WEC finale.
H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, mentioned:
“I’m extremely pleased with the collaboration that may allow Barcelona and Monza to host FIA World Endurance Championship rounds later this yr. The FIA has labored carefully with our companions in Qatar and Bahrain in latest months to discover each choice to protect each occasions this season. However because of the ongoing scenario within the area, the security of our groups, colleagues, and motorsport followers stays our highest precedence. These are by no means simple choices, however defending the wellbeing of our motorsport neighborhood will at all times come first.
“My because of all of our Member Golf equipment who’ve helped make these updates potential, the Lusail Worldwide Circuit, the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit and our championship colleagues whose partnership and assist all through this course of displays the easiest of our sport. Our ideas are with all these affected by the scenario within the area, and we look ahead to returning when circumstances permit.”
Frédéric Lequien, CEO, FIA WEC, mentioned:
“A matter of days after the present Center East disaster started again on the finish of February, we acted shortly in suspending the Qatar occasion till later within the yr, simply earlier than Bahrain. Just a few weeks in the past, we have been optimistic about having the ability to race at each venues, however sadly, the current scenario obliges us to modify to another plan.
“We have now duly resolved to exchange these two end-of-season rounds with Barcelona and Monza. Logistically, it was crucial to take this choice now to permit producers, groups and the FIA WEC organisation to make all needed preparations.
“I wish to warmly thank Qatar and Bahrain for his or her understanding in these instances. We have now been in fixed dialogue with each tracks and their nationwide federations, and are pleased with the shut, long-standing relationships we have now constructed within the Center East. They’re vastly essential and well-established occasions in FIA WEC, and can stay so for a few years to return.”
Pierre Fillon, President, Car Membership de l’Ouest, mentioned:
“We’re navigating an exceptionally advanced interval within the Center East. Along with Frédéric Lequien, we have now been monitoring developments each day and dealing carefully and transparently with all stakeholders to establish the absolute best resolution.
“The ACO has constructed robust and lasting relationships with governments, motorsport federations, promoters and companions throughout the Center East. I wish to categorical my honest gratitude to our colleagues in Qatar and Bahrain for his or her outstanding dedication and for the appreciable efforts they’ve remodeled latest weeks in an try and protect these two occasions.
“We’re deeply disenchanted that we will be unable to race in Qatar and Bahrain this yr. These international locations have change into essential members of the FIA World Endurance Championship household, and I need to be very clear – we’re absolutely dedicated to returning to each venues in 2027 as scheduled. We already look ahead to being reunited with our companions and followers there.
“Within the meantime, I’d additionally prefer to thank Barcelona and Monza for his or her responsiveness and for welcoming the World Championship at such brief discover. I’ve little doubt that each circuits will present an excellent stage for endurance racing.”
Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, President, Qatar Motor & Motorbike Federation (QMMF) and Lusail Worldwide Circuit (LIC), mentioned:
“We absolutely respect the choice taken by the FIA WEC to name off this yr’s Qatar 1812km. Our dedication to this partnership stays as robust as ever, and we look ahead to working carefully with each the FIA and the WEC to ship an distinctive occasion when the championship returns to Lusail Worldwide Circuit.
“We’re grateful to our followers, companions, groups and the broader motorsport neighborhood for his or her continued assist, understanding and confidence. We look ahead to welcoming everybody again within the close to future.”
Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Government, Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, mentioned:
“Over latest weeks, we have now been in shut coordination with our colleagues at FIA WEC and different stakeholders. While we’re naturally disenchanted to not be internet hosting the top of world endurance racing in 2026, we assist the choice, which is in the perfect pursuits of all concerned.
“On behalf of all of us at BIC, I thank your complete FIA WEC neighborhood for his or her assist and we look ahead to welcoming the return of the collection subsequent yr, along with followers from all around the globe.”
The modifications to the collection’ 2026 schedule don’t have any influence upon the nine-round 2027 calendar, which stays as announced on 12 June.
