The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign will conclude with a pair of European races in Spain and Italy, after the current regional security situation and its effect on freight and travel arrangements required the cancellation of the planned events in Qatar and Bahrain.
Following the postponement of the Qatar 1812km from its original date in March to later in the year, the decision has now been taken to replace the final two rounds with races at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
The inaugural 6 Hours of Barcelona will take place over the weekend of October 16-18, and will mark the first time FIA WEC has visited the track, which has in recent years successfully hosted the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup.
Monza, meanwhile, has a long association with international endurance racing stretching back more than 60 years, having welcomed the FIA World Sportscar Championship on multiple occasions.
From 2021 to 2023, FIA WEC traveled to ‘The Temple of Speed’ for three consecutive seasons, resulting in triumphs for Toyota and Alpine. The 2026 edition of the 6 Hours of Monza will be held on November 6-8. The calendar change is subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said, “The FIA has worked closely with our partners in Qatar and Bahrain in recent months to explore every option to preserve both events this season. But due to the ongoing situation in the region, the safety of our teams, colleagues and motorsport fans remains our highest priority. These are never easy decisions, but protecting the well-being of our motorsport community will always come first.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO, FIA WEC, added, “A matter of days after the current Middle East crisis began back at the end of February, we acted quickly in postponing the Qatar event until later in the year, just before Bahrain. A few weeks ago, we were optimistic about being able to race at both venues, but unfortunately, the present situation obliges us to switch to an alternative plan. Logistically, it was imperative to take this decision now to allow manufacturers, teams and the FIA WEC organization to make all necessary arrangements.”
Pierre Fillon, president, Automobile Club de l’Ouest, said, “We are deeply disappointed that we will not be able to race in Qatar and Bahrain this year. These countries have become important members of the FIA World Endurance Championship family, and I want to be very clear – we are fully committed to returning to both venues in 2027 as scheduled. We already look forward to being reunited with our partners and fans there.”
The modifications to the series’s 2026 schedule have no impact upon the nine-round 2027 calendar, which remains as announced on June 12.
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