The FIA World Endurance Championship has made dramatic changes to the final stages of its 2026 season amid growing regional complications, with the scheduled rounds in Qatar and Bahrain canceled. In a decisive move, championship officials have swiftly replaced these Middle Eastern events with two prestigious European circuits: the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
The sudden cancellation stems from continued regional development that has severely disrupted freight and travel logistics, rendering the original race unsustainable. The 6 Hours of Barcelona, scheduled for 16-18 October, marks a historic debut for the FIA WEC at the Spanish track, which has previously hosted European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup races, but has never hosted a World Endurance Championship. After Barcelona, the championship will be held on 6-8 November in Monza, a venue rich in endurance racing heritage. Monza has been a stalwart on the endurance calendar for more than six decades, having hosted the FIA World Sportscar Championship several times and welcoming WEC events from 2021 to 2023.
FIA WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien highlighted the urgency behind the decision: “Logically, it was imperative to take this decision now to allow the manufacturers, the teams and the FIA WEC organization to make all the necessary arrangements.” This statement underlines the critical need for prompt action to safeguard the smooth conduct of the Championships.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem addressed the sensitive nature of the cancellation, stressing that safety remained the utmost priority throughout the process. “I am incredibly proud of the collaboration that will enable Barcelona and Monza to host an FIA World Endurance Championship round later this year,” said Ben Sulayem. He added, “The FIA has worked closely with our partners in Qatar and Bahrain over recent months to explore every option to preserve both events this season, but due to the ongoing situation in the region, the safety of our teams, colleagues and motorsport fans remains our top priority. These are never easy decisions, but protecting the well-being of our motorsport community will always come first.”
The calendar amendment is awaiting formal ratification by the FIA World Motor Sport Council. Importantly, these changes only affect the 2026 season and have no impact on the nine-round fixed schedule for 2027 announced earlier this June.
This strategic pivot not only preserves the integrity of the championship but also reaffirms the FIA WEC’s commitment to safety and operational excellence amid geopolitical challenges. Barcelona’s introduction to the WEC calendar could inject new excitement into the series, while the return of Monza will rekindle historic endurance racing traditions as the 2026 season reaches its peak.
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