FIA World Endurance Championship CEO Frederic Lequien told reporters including Motorsport Week that he “does not believe” that calendar will be expanded in 2026, but left the opportunity open for 2027.
“No, I do not believe that in 2026 we have more races. Maybe in 2027,” he said when asked by Motorsport Week if the calendar will be expand after 2025, which will keep the same eight race calendar as in 2024.
“It depends on many different parameters,” he continued.
“Once again, as I told you before, we have to pay attention to the budget side and when we will stabilise everything.
“Then we’ll have, let’s say, a smooth description with the paddock. If the paddock agrees to add the nine runs, we’ll do it.”
The WEC calendar features 72 hours of racing over eight races — the most it has ever featured, tied with 2026 and 2017, when it had nine races but shorter events other than the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The contract for the 6 Hours of Imola, after a successful inaugural race earlier this year in April, has been extended to 2028, with the contract being signed on Friday at Le Mans.
The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is also back for the 6 hour Lone Star Le Mans event for 2025. It returned in 2024 after a number of years away from the WEC calendar.
“We are very satisfied by this first year of collaboration with the COTA staff,” he said.
“The layout of the track is fantastic. It’s a very nice place in the US. We need to cover the U.S market. So that’s the main reason why we re-signed for 2025.
“And I do not see any reason at the moment, why we should change for the future.”
When asked if this was a one-year deal, he replied cryptically, saying “It’s confidential,” and would not be drawn on commenting further about WEC’s future in the United States.
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