WEC - Lone Star Le Mans

The Lone Star Le Mans returns to Circuit des Amériques in Austin, Texas for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season. This six-hour endurance race represents the only North American stop on the WEC calendar, bringing together top manufacturers from around the globe to compete at one of the most challenging tracks in motorsports. Teams will battle to cover the greatest distance possible within the time limit, showcasing the latest developments in prototype racing technology and GT competition.

About the Race

The Lone Star Le Mans is a six-hour endurance race where teams compete to complete the most laps within the allotted time. The event features two primary competition classes: Hypercar and LMGT3. The 2026 WEC season entry list indicates 35 cars representing 14 major manufacturers will compete throughout the championship. This race format tests both machine reliability and driver stamina, requiring careful strategy for fuel management, tire wear, and driver changes.

General admission ticket holders gain access to permanent grandstands and multiple trackside viewing areas around Circuit des Amériques. The event includes various fan activities throughout the race weekend, allowing spectators to experience the WEC up close.

Circuit des Amériques

Circuit des Amériques is the only FIA-certified Grade 1 track in the United States. The facility opened in 2013 and has hosted major motorsports events including Formula 1 and MotoGP. Hermann Tilke designed the circuit, drawing inspiration from famous racing venues worldwide.

Track Specifications

The circuit measures 5.513 kilometers (3.426 miles) in length and features 20 turns running counter-clockwise, with 11 left-hand corners and 9 right-hand turns. The track includes significant elevation changes of 40.5 meters (133 feet), creating unique challenges for teams and drivers.

Turn 1, known as "Big Red," stands as the circuit's signature corner. Drivers climb a steep uphill section before reaching this hairpin. Turns 3 through 6 echo Silverstone's Maggotts/Becketts complex, while Turns 7 to 9 resemble the Senna 'S' at Interlagos. Turns 12 through 15 mirror elements of Hockenheim's stadium section.

The facility includes a 76-meter observation tower offering 360-degree views of the track and surrounding areas. The central Grand Plaza provides various amenities for spectators. Circuit des Amériques can accommodate 120,000 fans, making it one of the largest motorsports venues in North America.

Competition Categories

Hypercar

The Hypercar category represents the top level of WEC competition. The 2026 season welcomes nine manufacturers: Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Genesis, Peugeot, Porsche, and Toyota. Genesis Magma Racing joins the championship for 2026, entering two GMR-001 cars. Ferrari AF Corse plans to field two 499P hypercars.

These prototype race cars produce maximum power of 500 kilowatts and weigh a minimum of 1,030 kilograms. All newly homologated Hypercars from 2026 forward must include an Energy Recovery System (ERS). The Aston Martin Valkyrie is expected to be the last non-hybrid Hypercar competing in WEC. A Balance of Performance system ensures fair competition among different manufacturers and technical approaches.

Hypercars at Circuit des Amériques can exceed speeds of 305 kilometers per hour. Drivers spend approximately 44% of each lap at full throttle and shift gears around 54 times per lap.

LMGT3

The LMGT3 category features cars based on the global FIA GT3 platform with WEC-specific adaptations. Nine manufacturers are expected to compete: Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. Teams anticipated to participate include Heart of Racing, Team WRT, TF Sport, Vista AF Corse, Proton Competition, Akkodis ASP Team, Garage 59, Iron Lynx, and Manthey.

LMGT3 focuses on private teams and Pro-Am driver lineups. Each crew must include at least one Bronze-classified driver, plus another Bronze or Silver driver. All LMGT3 cars use Goodyear tires. The category regulations run from 2024 through 2028, providing stability for teams and manufacturers.

Technical Regulations

The FIA WEC has implemented several technical regulations for 2026. All newly homologated Hypercars must feature an Energy Recovery System, moving the category closer to a unified platform. Aerodynamic rules now limit rear wing flex to 2.5 millimeters under a 100 Newton load, unifying constraints for both LMH and LMDh cars.

The framework for performance development allowances, known as "EVO Jokers," has been relaxed. Manufacturers can now receive additional extensions if they demonstrate significant performance deficits. For 2026, success handicaps may be imposed on Hypercars, converted into mass or power adjustments.

The LMGT3 category employs a success ballast system. Tire allocation for LMGT3 cars has increased for six-hour and eight-hour races compared to previous regulations.

Since 2022, the WEC has used Excellium Racing 100, a 100% renewable fuel. TotalEnergies produces this fuel from bioethanol derived from wine residues and ETBE. This fuel achieves at least 65% greenhouse gas emission savings compared to fossil fuels.

Drivers receive classifications as Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze, which determines crew compositions for different categories. These classifications balance professional and amateur talent across the field.

Event History

Circuit des Amériques first hosted the FIA World Endurance Championship on September 22, 2013. The event was initially called the "6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas" before becoming "Lone Star Le Mans" in 2014. COTA held annual WEC rounds from 2013 to 2017.

After a break, the WEC returned to Circuit des Amériques in February 2020, replacing the 6 Hours of São Paulo on that season's calendar. The championship came back to COTA in 2024. Porsche Team holds the record for most victories at COTA in WEC competition, with three wins achieved in 2015, 2016, and 2017.

Mario Andretti completed the ceremonial first laps of the finished circuit in a Lotus 79 when the facility opened. The Circuit des Amériques project cost approximately $400 million in private investment and created around 1,700 construction jobs. It was the first circuit in the United States purpose-built for Formula One.

What Makes This Event Special

The Lone Star Le Mans serves as the sole North American race on the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar. This makes the event a unique opportunity for fans in the United States to experience world-class endurance racing without international travel.

Circuit des Amériques provides a multi-purpose motorsports and entertainment venue. The facility's challenging layout, significant elevation changes, and variety of corner types test every aspect of car setup and driver skill. The combination of high-speed sections and technical sequences creates numerous opportunities for overtaking and strategic variation.

The six-hour race format allows fans to witness the full scope of endurance racing strategy, including multiple pit stops, driver changes, and the challenge of maintaining performance as track conditions evolve. Teams must balance speed with reliability, making tactical decisions that can determine victory or defeat.

The 2026 season brings new technical regulations and manufacturer entries, adding fresh competition dynamics to an already competitive championship. The mandatory Energy Recovery System for new Hypercars and refined success handicap systems create an evolving competitive landscape that teams continue to adapt to throughout the season.