FIA WEC Reschedules Qatar 1812KM to October 22-24 Amid Geopolitical Concerns
The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) has announced the rescheduling of the Qatar 1812KM race to October 22-24, making it the penultimate event of the 2026 season. Originally set for this month at Lusail International Circuit, the race was postponed due to ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
The decision aims to prioritize the safety of competitors, personnel, and fans. A statement from WEC emphasized, “The current geopolitical instability in the Middle East obliged the postponement of the Qatari contest… all parties will continue to monitor developments across the region.”
In light of this change, the 6 Hours of Imola will become the season opener, taking place from April 19, 2026, with a Prologue test preceding the event on April 14. This adjustment allows teams to refine their performances at the storied Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
The updated 2026 FIA WEC calendar is as follows:
- Prologue test (Imola): April 14
- R1: 6 Hours of Imola: April 19
- R2: 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps: May 9
- R3: 24 Hours of Le Mans: June 13-14
- R4: 6 Hours of São Paulo: July 12
- R5: Lone Star Le Mans (CoTA): September 6
- R6: 6 Hours of Fuji: September 27
- R7: Qatar 1812KM: October 24
- R8: 8 Hours of Bahrain: November 7
These developments have been coordinated with the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit, affirming the commitment to safety as preparations for the new calendar move forward.
