FIA and ACO dismiss split claims as WEC promotional deal remains secured until 2027

The FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) have reaffirmed that their promotional partnership for the World Endurance Championship remains fully intact through the end of 2027, rejecting reports of an imminent split.

The clarification follows a report by German outlet Auto Motor und Sport, which claimed the two organisations could part ways as early as 2027 due to an absence of an agreement. The report suggested that the FIA might tender for a new promoter—a move that would exclude the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours, an event solely owned and governed by the ACO.

FIA Reaffirms Commitment to Current Agreement

In response, the FIA clarified that its current promoter contract with the ACO remains active through 2027, with discussions already underway to extend the partnership further into the future.

“The FIA World Endurance Championship has enjoyed sustained growth since the introduction of the Hypercar and LMGT3 regulations, competing this season across seven countries,” the FIA said in a statement issued to Motorsport.com. “This achievement is the result of extensive collaboration between drivers, teams, manufacturers, the FIA, the ACO, the promoter LMEM and the millions of fans who follow the championship. The FIA and ACO are continuing discussions regarding an extension of the promoter agreement. The current agreement with ACO remains in place until the end of 2027.”

The championship itself confirmed that negotiations are focused strictly on extending terms beyond 2027. WEC stated that talks are progressing as planned in a “constructive spirit” with shared long-term objectives.

Stability Amid Historic Sportscar Momentum

Jointly founded by the FIA and the ACO in 2012, two decades after the collapse of the original World Sportscar Championship in 1993, the WEC is promoted through ACO subsidiary Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM) while the FIA sanctions the series and awards world titles.

The championship is currently riding significant momentum following the convergence of LMDh and LMH regulations with IMSA, alongside newly agreed 2030 Hypercar rules. Furthermore, the FIA World Motor Sport Council has already ratified a nine-round 2027 calendar featuring the return of Silverstone alongside its traditional Bahrain finale.

The calendar stability comes amid intense interest across motorsport, including speculation over active F1 drivers taking on the Le Mans 24 Hours, as the FIA and ACO aim to maintain long-term alignment across their premier endurance platform.