FIA World Endurance Championship officials have postponed the 2026 Qatar 1812km, citing the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and placing safety ahead of sporting priorities. The race, which had been due to open the WEC season at Lusail International Circuit on 26–28 March, will be rescheduled for the second half of the year, with a new date still to be confirmed.
In a joint decision with the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation and Lusail International Circuit, series organisers underlined that the call follows continuous monitoring of regional geopolitical developments and extensive consultation with local partners. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem framed the move firmly in terms of duty of care, stressing that the wellbeing of competitors, teams, officials and fans remains non‑negotiable, and that sporting considerations must come second to the human cost of the ongoing conflict. He also acknowledged the symbolic weight of Qatar’s race as the championship’s curtain-raiser, while committing to work with all parties to find a viable slot later in the campaign.
From a championship perspective, the immediate consequence is a reshuffled calendar. The 6 Hours of Imola, scheduled for 17–19 April in Italy’s Emilia‑Romagna region, now becomes the opening round of the 2026 season rather than its second stop, compressing preparation timelines and forcing teams to adjust freight, travel and testing plans at short notice. WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien described Qatar as an “integral” part of the series and confirmed that organisers have been working “hand‑in‑hand” with Lusail and the QMMF since the weekend to secure an alternative date, again targeting the latter half of 2026.
QMMF and Lusail president Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai publicly backed the decision, thanking fans, partners and teams for their understanding and signalling a clear intention to welcome the paddock back once conditions allow. ACO president Pierre Fillon echoed that stance, noting that thoughts are first with those directly affected by the violence and that, in such circumstances, the only realistic option was to act swiftly and take the race off its original date. The broader message from all sides is that the World Endurance Championship will bend its logistics, not its principles, as it waits for a safer window to return to Qatar.
