Qatar to host World Endurance C'ship prologue and season-opener following Le Mans 2026 calendar reveal
Doha
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) announced the 2026 World Endurance Championship (WEC) calendar in Le Mans on 13 June, confirming Qatar's continued role in launching the new season with both the Prologue testing sessions and the opening championship round March 22-28 , making it one of the 8 circuits around to world to host WEC in 2026.
For a third time, Lusail International Circuit (LIC) will welcome the premier endurance racing series with the Prologue sessions scheduled from March 22-23,allowing teams and drivers to fine-tune their Hypercars and LMGT3 machines ahead of the competitive season.
The official championship action will commence shortly afterwards with the Qatar 1812 KM race being held from March 26-28. Named in honour of Qatar's National Day, this endurance contest will once again test competitors as they race from daylight into darkness, a maximum of ten hours across the 5.38km, 16-turn circuit.
The circuit's characteristics – featuring a flat, high-speed layout with minimal elevation changes and maximum grip – continue to provide an ideal proving ground for the sport's most advanced prototypes and production-based GT cars. The 16 turns combined with the kilometre-long main straight demand peak performance from both machinery and drivers.
Following success in 2024 and 2025, the Qatar rounds have established themselves as unmissable fixtures on the WEC calendar, attracting the world's leading automotive manufacturers including Porsche, Ferrari, Toyota, Cadillac, Aston Martin, Peugeot, Alpine, and BMW in the premier Hypercar category.
The LMGT3 class will feature equally fierce competition among marques such as Corvette, Lexus, Ferrari, BMW, and Mercedes-AMG. Stay tuned for further ticketing information.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
21 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
High-level security delegation from US visits Qatar
Tribune News Network DOHA The Security Committee of the Supreme Committee at Delivery & Legacy has received a high-level security delegation representing Federal Agencies and Local police authorities from the United States of America. The delegation was received by representatives of the Tournament Security Force from various security units involved in securing tournaments and events in the State of Qatar. The delegation's visit to the State of Qatar follows the recent visit of HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force 'Lekhwiya' - Chairman of the Security Committee of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy - to the United States. That visit witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Qatari Ministry of Interior and the US Department of Homeland Security, aimed at enhancing security cooperation between the two friendly countries and exchanging expertise in the field of securing major sporting events, particularly in the context of the ongoing preparations to secure the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Al Shaqab Racing's Sahlan strikes in Gr.3 Prix Daphnis at Deauville
Tribune News Network Doha Sahlan (Wootton Bassett), a talented 3-year-old colt, returned to winning ways in style when taking the Gr.3 Prix Daphnis – Samuel Liberman over 1600m at Deauville in France on Sunday. The race, for 3-year-olds only, brought together a competitive field of 12 runners. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, ridden by Mickaël Barzalona, and owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, the homebred had previously shown his class when beaten just a nose by a smart rival in the Gr.3 Prix de Fontainebleau on his seasonal return. While things didn't go his way in his next two outings, Sahlan bounced back here to secure a deserved first Group victory. Restrained towards the rear from the start, Sahlan settled in ninth alongside Tito Mo Cen (Uncle Mo), a long way behind the front-runner and race favourite Scoville (Too Darn Hot), who was setting a strong pace. As the field bunched up entering the final bend, the leader kicked clear with Madero (Lope De Vega) in pursuit, while Sahlan was still improving gradually, looking for a gap on the outside. Once in the clear, he quickened smartly, storming past his rivals to take the lead inside the final 100 metres, ultimately winning by a length and a half from Ciaran (Van Beethoven), with Silius (Dubawi) taking third. Bred by Al Shaqab Racing, Sahlan is out of Wasmya (Toronado), a Listed winner over 1400m at three. Wasmya is a daughter of Lamorlaye (Danehill Dancer) and a half-sister to Wahdan (Siyouni), a winner over 1900m at three and third in a Gr.2 over 2000m at the same age. She is also a half-sister to Talbah (Style Vendome), a winner over 1500m and third in a Gr.3 over 1400m at three.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Wathnan Racing's Heredia shines in Gr.2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap at Del Mar
Tribune News Network Doha Heredia (Dark Angel), the classy 6-year-old mare, lit up Del Mar in California with a brilliant front-running victory in the Gr.2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap over 1700m, in the early morning of Sunday. Trained in the USA by H. Graham Motion, owned by Wathnan Racing, and guided to glory by Juan J. Hernandez, she proved too strong for her rivals in a field of eight fillies and mares. A talented performer in the UK when trained by Richard Hannon, Heredia had already won at Gr.3 and Listed level — but this time, she stepped up to claim her first American Group 2 success. Breaking sharply from the gates, Heredia quickly took the lead, with Liguria (War Front) close behind. The mare set a confident pace while a couple of rivals, including Watchtower (Demarchelier) and Musical Rhapsody (Holy Roman Emperor), were left trailing at the rear. Heading into the final bend, Mission Of Joy (Kitten's Joy) tried to put pressure on her, but Heredia had plenty left. She quickened smoothly, pulling clear in the home stretch and crossing the line two and a quarter lengths ahead. Public Assembly (More Than Ready) finished strongly for second, with Watchtower coming from far back to take third. Bred by St Albans Bloodstock LLP, Heredia is out of Nakuti (Mastercraftsman), a Gr.3 winner over 1600m at four and also a Listed winner over the same trip. She is a half-sister to Arch Legend (Camelot), a dual winner over 2400m at three.
