WEC - Losail Prologue

The Losail Prologue serves as the official pre-season test for the FIA World Endurance Championship. This event takes place at Losail International Circuit in Qatar and provides teams with the opportunity to prepare their racing machines before the competitive season begins. The WEC Prologue at Losail brings together manufacturers and teams from the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes for vital track time and performance evaluation.

Circuit Overview

Losail International Circuit sits north of Doha in the desert landscape of Qatar. The track measures 5.419 kilometers in length and features 16 turns that challenge drivers with a mix of technical corners and high-speed sections. The main straight extends for 1.068 kilometers, which allows teams to test top-speed performance and aerodynamic configurations.

The circuit holds an FIA Grade 1 license and features permanent outdoor lighting systems. This lighting infrastructure enables night sessions, which help teams prepare for races in varying light conditions. The track width measures approximately 12 meters, and the layout remains relatively flat with minimal elevation changes across the circuit.

Hypercar Class Testing

The Hypercar class at the Losail Prologue features entries from leading automotive manufacturers. Teams compete under Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) regulations. The participating manufacturers include Porsche, Ferrari, Toyota, Cadillac, Aston Martin, Peugeot, Alpine, and BMW. Genesis Magma Racing joins the championship with their GMR-001 entries.

Teams use the prologue sessions to evaluate race setup, tire performance, and reliability factors. The pre-season test allows engineers to collect data and make adjustments before points-scoring races begin. Hypercar regulations continue until the end of 2032, which provides stability for manufacturer programs.

LMGT3 Class Preparations

The LMGT3 class brings together customer racing teams from various manufacturers. The competing marques include Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. Racing Team Turkey makes their LMGT3 debut with a Corvette entry, while Garage 59 operates McLaren 720S GT3 Evo machinery.

Each LMGT3 crew must include a Silver-rated driver according to championship regulations. Teams use the Losail Prologue to establish driver lineups, test race strategies, and optimize vehicle balance for endurance competition.

Technical Aspects and Regulations

The WEC implements a compensation ballast system that minimizes weight differences between cars based on individual driver weight. The regulations add ballast to achieve a minimum average weight of 82 kilograms across three drivers. This system promotes competitive balance across the grid.

Teams conduct extensive testing programs during the prologue sessions. Engineers analyze data on fuel consumption, tire degradation, and component reliability. The night sessions prove particularly valuable as teams prepare for races conducted under artificial lighting.

Circuit Characteristics

The desert environment presents specific challenges for teams and drivers. High temperatures and humidity levels affect engine performance, aerodynamic efficiency, and tire behavior. The circuit uses artificial grass surrounding the track surface to prevent sand from encroaching onto the racing line.

The track layout combines fast corners with technical sections that test different aspects of car performance. The long main straight provides opportunities for slipstreaming and requires teams to balance downforce levels against straight-line speed. The 16 corners include 10 right-hand turns and 6 left-hand turns.

What to Expect

The Losail Prologue offers insight into competitive form ahead of the season. Lap times and reliability performance during testing sessions indicate which manufacturers and teams have made strong development progress. The event allows new entries to gain experience with WEC procedures and technical requirements.

Fans can observe the complete WEC grid in action as teams complete their final preparations. The prologue sessions showcase the latest racing technology from both Hypercar and LMGT3 categories. This pre-season test at Losail International Circuit sets the stage for another year of endurance racing competition.