2026 World Endurance Championship plots its finale on European soil, discarding the former Middle East rounds in favour of Barcelona and Monza.
After concluding runs in Austin and Fuji, the season was set to visit Qatar, then Bahrain on 7 November. The sudden collapse of the Iran‑US/Israel ceasefire reignited hostilities, pushing commercial vessels away from the Strait of Hormuz. Since the WEC depends on sea freight to deliver cars, spare parts and equipment, organisers deemed the Gulf round untenable.
Barcelona and Monza Replace Qatar and Bahrain
The FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest removed the lucrative Gulf legs, opting instead for the inaugural 6‑Hours of Barcelona on 18 October and 6‑Hours of Monza on 8 November. Barcelona’s event follows the unchanged schedule of the 10‑hour Lusail race, which had already been postponed from March to October due to the war’s outbreak. Monza, which hosted WEC events in 2021‑23 before Imola took the Italian slot, will step into the season‑ending weekend originally earmarked for Bahrain.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of FIA WEC, said: “We have monitored Middle East developments closely. The present situation requires us to replace those end‑of‑season rounds with Barcelona and Monza. Logistically, it was imperative to decide now to allow manufacturers, teams and the FIA WEC organisation to make necessary arrangements.” He added gratitude to Qatar and Bahrain for their understanding, noting the long‑standing relations and future importance of those venues.
Scoring and Manufacturer Implications
Both Barcelona and Monza will award a maximum of 25 points to the winner, consistent with the standard six‑hour race scoring system. Had the original calendar held, the Gulf rounds would have offered 38 points as part of the bonus‑point system for longer races. The reduction means teams face a tighter shot at rescaling deficits in the championship battle.
Toyota Gazoo Racing, unbeaten in Bahrain for nine consecutive years, may feel the blow of a truncated points pool. The 2026 roster includes #7 Toyota GR010‑Hybrid, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López.
As the 2026 World Endurance Championship reshapes its climax from the Gulf to the Italian and Spanish circuits, endurance devotees will watch to see how the new European finale tests teams’ resilience and strategy.
"