FIA WEC Qatar 1812km postponed with Imola set to host the season opener

Credit: FIA WEC

The World Endurance Championship (WEC) announced today that the opening round of the championship - due to be held in Qatar in just a few weeks - will be postponed until the second half of the season due to the conflict in the Middle East.

The season opener will instead be in Imola, on the 19th of April. The Qatar round will be rescheduled for the second half of the season, however no date has been specified. Nor has a date be specified for the prologue which was due to happen the week before the main event in Qatar.

The statement from FIA WEC says; "FIA WEC management has been in constant dialogue with the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) in light of the current and evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East. With the safety and security of competitors, personnel and fans of the utmost importance, the decision has been taken to delay the event that had been due to take place on 26-28 March.

"Following further discussions with our colleagues at Lusail International Circuit (LIC), where the race is held, a new date for the Qatar 1812km during the second half of the campaign will be finalised and communicated in due course.

"The first round of the season will consequently now be the 6 Hours of Imola in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy on 17-19 April."

FIA President - Mohammed Ben Sulayem - said "“The safety and wellbeing of our community will always be the FIA’s first priority.

"We will work closely with all involved to reschedule the race for later in the 2026 season."

President of the WEC organising body - the ACO - Pierre Fillon added "First and foremost, I must stress that our primary thoughts are with the victims of this terrible conflict. At times like these, sporting interests are clearly secondary, which is why a decision has been quickly taken that the event cannot proceed at the present time.

"We are working hard with Lusail International Circuit and the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation to find the best alternative to allow the Qatar 1812km to take place at a later date in 2026"

All parties involved have stressed that any new information regarding the updated schedule will be provided as soon as possible.

More news will surely follow regarding the dates for the pre-season prologue, and the revised date for Qatar.