The FIA World Endurance Championship is consolidating its modern momentum through long-term technical commitments and an expanded global footprint. Following a tender process organized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), governing bodies selected Michelin to remain the exclusive tire supplier for the flagship Hypercar category through the end of the 2032 season. The three-year extension onto an existing deal previously set to run through 2029 highlights the technical stability anchoring top-tier sports car racing.
Michelin currently supplies every manufacturer competing in the Hypercar class and has maintained an unbroken presence at the top level of endurance racing since 1998. Beyond track performance and stint management, the championship acts as a key proving ground for sustainable tire technology. The 2026 MICHELIN Pilot Sport Endurance slick range—utilized across both the FIA WEC and North America’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship—incorporates 50 percent renewable and recycled materials, establishing a direct link between track competition and sustainable material development.
Expanded Footprint and New Destinations
Complementing the long-term supplier agreement is an expanded eight-race calendar visiting eight countries across five distinct geographical regions. The schedule balances traditional endurance strongholds with key global growth markets, accommodating a record influx of factory manufacturer programs in the premier category.
- Lusail International Circuit: Qatar hosts the WEC Prologue and the season-opening Qatar 1812km in early March.
- Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari (Imola): Replaces Monza as the Italian round, shifting forward on the calendar to April.
- Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps: Secures its long-term future following a five-year contract extension with series promoter Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM).
- 24 Hours of Le Mans: The cornerstone event of the endurance season takes place in mid-June.
- Interlagos Circuit: The 6 Hours of São Paulo brings the series back to Brazil for the first time since 2014.
- Circuit of the Americas: Lone Star Le Mans returns to Austin, Texas, for its first WEC round since 2020.
- Fuji & Bahrain: Fuji International Speedway and Bahrain International Circuit close out the campaign in Asia and the Middle East.
Institutional Alignment Across Key Growth Markets
The expansion and tire supplier continuity reflect joint regulatory planning between the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO). FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem emphasized that the growth in race dates and geographical reach directly coincides with the rising profile of the Hypercar class, pointing to joint regulatory reforms that successfully attracted world-class automotive brands.
Evaluating the expanded calendar, FIA Endurance Commission President Richard Mille noted that visiting new markets is vital to the automotive manufacturers committed to top-tier endurance programs. ACO President Pierre Fillon welcomed the record number of Hypercar entries and four new circuit additions, while FIA World Endurance Championship CEO Frédéric Lequien highlighted that combining established motorsport venues with critical international regions creates a sustainable balance to build long-term commercial and competitive momentum.
Sources
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- drudgereport.com original
- fia.com original
- michelin.com original
