The Automobile Club l’Ouest has extended the Hypercar regulations to 2032 and confirmed the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship schedule.
The annual ACO press conference at this year’s running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans confirmed that the Hypercar regulations, introduced in the 2021 WEC season, will remain in effect until the end of 2032.
They have also confirmed the 2026 FIA WEC calendar with retained venues and race durations from this year, but most importantly, there are no clashes with the FIA Formula E World Championship, as multiple drivers compete in both.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO, FIA World Endurance Championship, said:
“We are pleased to present our 2026 FIA WEC calendar, which reflects the series’ success by building upon a winning formula and format.
“All eight events have established themselves as firm favourites amongst competitors and fans.
“Every circuit offers its own unique characteristics and challenges – and invariably brings out the best from our incredible drivers, cars and teams.
“We look forward to continuing to put on a thrilling show all around the world.”
ACO President recognises Hypercar and WEC stability
Pierre Fillon, President, Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), added: “We are thrilled by the growth of the FIA World Endurance Championship in recent years, a large part of which can be attributed to the series’ stability in terms of partners, participants and venues.
“FIA WEC offers an irresistible platform for manufacturers eager to do battle for supremacy, and the 2026 calendar will once again enable them to showcase their skills and ingenuity to a highly invested global audience.”
The likelihood of extra joker updates, and possibly a third car for the outgoing manufacturers in Hypercar (they can build a second car), solidifies the continuation and security of the current LMH and LMDh regulations, with the IMSA-ACO partnership also renewed.
Nine manufacturers currently take part in the FIA WEC’s premier class of Hypercars, with IMSA fielding them under the GTP category since 2023. In total, 12 different automotive marques have participated across these two premier multi-class sportscar racing championships.
For the 2026-27 season, privateer Hypercar teams will be eligible to enter and compete in the Asian Le Mans Series.
The WEC’s Hypercar World Cup for Privateers currently hosts the #83 AF Corse Ferrari and Proton Competition’s #99 Porsche 963, since JOTA became a factory-backed outfit with Cadillac Racing this year.
With the ‘golden age’ of sportscar racing continuing further, more manufacturers are yet to join, including Genesis, Ford and McLaren.
READ MORE – Alex Lynn takes Le Mans pole as Cadillac locks out front row
Discussion about this post