WEC Calendar

The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is the premier international endurance racing series, organized by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The 2026 season marks the championship's fourteenth year, featuring eight races across five continents that test speed, strategy, and durability. From six-hour sprints to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, the series brings together major manufacturers and racing teams to compete in prototypes and production-based grand tourers.

Championship Categories and Titles

The WEC awards four championships across two racing categories. The Hypercar class forms the top tier, where Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) prototypes battle for the Hypercar World Endurance Drivers' Championship and Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers' Championship. The LMGT3 category, introduced in 2024 to replace the previous LMGTE class, awards the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Drivers and the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Teams. LMGT3 entries are based on the FIA GT3 platform with adaptations for endurance racing, and each crew must include a Bronze-classified amateur driver.

Race Weekend Format

A typical WEC weekend follows a three-day schedule. Teams participate in three free practice sessions before advancing to qualifying, which includes four sessions—two for LMGT3 and two for Hypercar. The fastest qualifiers advance to the Hyperpole, which determines pole position for each category. Before the season begins, teams gather for the Prologue, a collective test session that allows preparation ahead of the opening race.

Race Formats and Points

The championship features endurance races of varying lengths. Most events run for six hours, including rounds at Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, São Paulo, Circuit of the Americas, and Fuji Speedway. The Qatar round covers 1812 kilometers (approximately 10 hours), while Bahrain hosts an eight-hour finale. The 24 Hours of Le Mans stands as the season's centerpiece and the most prestigious event in endurance racing. The points system follows FIA standards, with the top ten finishers scoring points and those finishing eleventh or lower earning half a point. Longer races—those lasting eight hours, ten hours, or Le Mans itself—award enhanced points compared to six-hour events.

Technical Regulations

Hypercar regulations allow two distinct technical approaches. LMH rules give manufacturers freedom in designing their prototypes, including engine configuration and hybrid systems. LMDh prototypes use standardized components, including chassis from four approved suppliers and a spec hybrid system. Starting in 2026, all newly homologated Hypercars must feature an Energy Recovery System (ERS), ending the era of non-hybrid prototypes. A Balance of Performance system ensures competitive parity between LMH and LMDh entries. LMGT3 cars are racing versions of recognizable road models built to GT3 specifications, with all entries using Goodyear tires.

2026 Season Landscape

The 2026 season features a record 14 manufacturers across both classes. In Hypercar, Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, and Toyota are joined by newcomer Genesis, Hyundai's luxury brand, which debuts with two Oreca-built LMDh prototypes. Ferrari AF Corse arrives as the defending champion after sweeping the 2025 manufacturers' and drivers' titles plus victory at Le Mans. Toyota Racing has updated its GR010 Hybrid to the TR010 Hybrid designation. The LMGT3 field includes Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche, with Manthey Racing returning as the defending champion.