Qatar Prepares for 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship Season in March

2026 FIA World Endurance Championship

The Lusail International Circuit is continuing its preparations for the 2026 season with great momentum, as Qatar prepares to host the pre-season testing and the opening race of the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship for the third consecutive year.

This pivotal role reflects Qatar's growing presence on the global motorsport map. The pre-season testing, a mandatory two-day event, will take place from Mar. 22 to 23, allowing teams to fine-tune their car setups before the opening 1,812 km Qatar race on March 28, a grueling under-ten-hour race.

The FIA ​​World Endurance Championship enters its fourteenth season under the auspices of the FIA ​​and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), continuing to solidify its position as the pinnacle of endurance racing, combining speed, strategy, and mechanical reliability across eight global rounds.

What makes the World Endurance Championship particularly unique is its sheer diversity. Fourteen global manufacturers compete on the same track simultaneously, a rare spectacle that allows fans to witness direct competition between the world's leading brands.

The 2026 season will feature 35 cars throughout the year, including 17 hypercars and 18 production-based LMGT3 cars.

The hypercar category includes eight manufacturers: Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Genesis, Peugeot, and Toyota.

The LMGT3 category features nine manufacturers: Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche.

(QNA)