WEC, Sportrik Media - The FIA World Endurance Championship has confirmed it is closely monitoring the escalating conflict in the Middle East, placing uncertainty over its 2026 season opener in Qatar. The situation continues to evolve less than three weeks before on-track activities are due to begin.
Both the traditional Prologue pre-season test and the Qatar 1812km remain officially scheduled at Lusail International Circuit. However, sustained military action involving the United States, Israel and Iran has raised serious concerns regarding the viability of holding major international events in the Gulf region.
Reports have detailed missile and drone strikes across multiple locations, including explosions in Doha, while neighbouring Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have also been affected. Regional airspace closures and temporary airport shutdowns have followed, directly impacting international logistics and travel operations.
The motorsport ramifications extend beyond endurance racing. A planned Formula 1 Pirelli tyre test at Bahrain International Circuit has already been cancelled due to security considerations, underlining the wider disruption to global racing activities in the region.
“The FIA World Endurance Championship is closely monitoring the ongoing situation in the Middle East, a process of rigorous assessment that has been underway for several weeks,” read an official championship statement issued on Sunday.
“The safety and security of our competitors, personnel and fans remains our absolute priority. Accordingly, the FIA WEC management is in constant, direct communication with the relevant authorities in Qatar.”
Championship officials confirmed that regular meetings are being held with Qatari authorities concerning the Prologue sessions scheduled for March 22–23 and the Qatar 1812km set for March 26–28. A significant volume of freight is already positioned in the region, with several manufacturers having recently completed testing programmes in Qatar.
Should postponement or cancellation become necessary, restructuring the calendar before the second round at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola in mid-April would present considerable logistical challenges, particularly given the requirement to air freight cars and equipment back to Europe.
The FIA WEC has pledged to continue evaluating developments on a daily basis, with further updates to be issued as required. Any final decision regarding the Qatar opener is expected to have a decisive impact on the operational flow and competitive timeline of the 2026 endurance racing season.
Baca Juga
FIA World Endurance Championship memantau konflik Timur Tengah yang mengancam pembuka musim Qatar 1812km 2026 di Lusail.
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