DOHA: Qatar is set to fire the starting gun on the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship as Lusail International Circuit hosts the Prologue and opening race for a third straight year, underlining the nation’s growing influence on the global motorsport stage.
The mandatory two-day Prologue on March 22–23 will give teams their first chance to fine-tune machinery ahead of the Qatar 1812km on March 28, a punishing ten-hour contest that launches the new campaign in spectacular fashion.
Now entering its 14th season under the joint stewardship of the FIA and Automobile Club de l’Ouest, FIA WEC remains the pinnacle of endurance racing, blending speed, strategy and reliability across eight international rounds. Its defining appeal lies in variety: in 2026, 14 major manufacturers will go head-to-head on the same grid, creating unparalleled competition across the Hypercar and LMGT3 categories. The full-season entry list features 35 cars, split between 17 Hypercars and 18 LMGT3 machines.
The Hypercar class sees eight marques represented – Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Genesis, Peugeot and Toyota – while LMGT3 welcomes Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche. Off-season changes have shaken up the competitive order, most notably Porsche’s withdrawal from Hypercar and the highly anticipated arrival of Genesis Magma Racing, debuting two GMR-001 prototypes built on Oreca chassis.
Ferrari AF Corse returns as defending champion with its proven 499P, while Toyota Racing arrives intent on redemption after a difficult 2025. The Japanese manufacturer has unveiled the evolved TR010 Hybrid, featuring improved drivability, efficiency and top speed, wrapped in a bold red, white and black livery inspired by the legendary GT One. The squad also adopts a simplified name for 2026, rebranding from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to Toyota Racing.
Driver line-ups add further intrigue. André Lotterer makes a high-profile return with Genesis, Nick Cassidy steps into Hypercar with Peugeot, and Victor Martins joins Alpine as a rookie following his Formula 2™ and Formula 1® development experience. Sébastien Buemi and Nyck de Vries spearhead Toyota’s challenge, while Cadillac, BMW and Ford also boast star-studded rosters across both classes.
With 11 former FIA WEC champions and 14 ex-Formula 1® drivers on the grid, Lusail is primed to deliver a thrilling curtain-raiser to a season that promises endurance racing at its finest.
