FIA WEC Replaces Qatar and Bahrain with Barcelona and Monza for 2026 Finale
FIA WEC confirms major 2026 calendar change
The FIA World Endurance Championship will replace its final two 2026 rounds in Qatar and Bahrain with races at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The change remains subject to approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
The inaugural 6 Hours of Barcelona will be held from 16 to 18 October. It will mark the first FIA WEC visit to the circuit, which has recently hosted the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup.
The championship will then travel to Monza for the 6 Hours of Monza from 6 to 8 November. The Italian venue has a more than 60-year association with the highest level of international endurance racing and has previously hosted the FIA World Sportscar Championship.
That history includes victories for John Surtees, Mario Andretti and Jacky Ickx. FIA WEC also raced at Monza for three consecutive seasons between 2021 and 2023, with Toyota and Alpine taking wins at the circuit known as the âTemple of Speedâ.
Safety and logistics drive decision
FIA WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien said the championship had been monitoring developments in the Middle East and initially remained optimistic about racing in Qatar and Bahrain. However, the current situation forced organisers to activate an alternative plan.
âLogistically, it was imperative to take this decision now to allow manufacturers, teams and the FIA WEC organisation to make all necessary arrangements,â Lequien said, while thanking both Qatar and Bahrain for their understanding.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the safety of teams, colleagues and fans remained the priority. Automobile Club de lâOuest president Pierre Fillon added that the organisation remained fully committed to returning to Qatar and Bahrain in 2027 as scheduled.
Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation president Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai and Bahrain International Circuit chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa both confirmed their support for the decision and looked forward to welcoming FIA WEC back next year.
The revised 2026 schedule does not affect the nine-round 2027 calendar, which remains as announced on 12 June. The change forms part of a wider focus on replacement venues and calendar planning, as reflected in recent motorsport coverage of schedule changes.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.