FIA and ACO secure World Endurance Championship partnership through 2037

A landmark ten-year extension reinforces the historic collaboration between motorsport's governing bodies and promises unprecedented growth for the pinnacle of endurance racing.

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest have announced a significant extension to their partnership governing the FIA World Endurance Championship, securing the championship’s future through the end of 2037. The agreement, taking effect at the conclusion of 2027, represents a commitment to sustained development and commercial expansion of the sport.

Under the refined partnership framework, the FIA will maintain comprehensive oversight of all regulatory matters through its Working Groups and Endurance Commission, with final approval vested in the FIA World Motor Sport Council. The streamlined homologation process for Hypercar competitors reflects an enhanced collaborative approach to technical governance.

The extended agreement provides expanded FIA visibility across significant broadcast and trackside moments, including the parc fermé, podium presentations and Safety Car operations. These measures underscore the championship’s prominence within global motorsport.

The FIA WEC’s current competitive landscape demonstrates remarkable manufacturer engagement. Eight of the world’s preeminent automotive companies currently compete in the Hypercar category, with the LMGT3 class introduction in 2024 bringing the grid to fourteen marques. This momentum will intensify with Ford and McLaren joining the Hypercar ranks in 2027.

A significant innovation emerging from the partnership concerns technical harmonisation. From 2030, a unified technical framework will govern Hypercars competing in both the FIA WEC and the IMSA championship in North America. This approach promises manufacturers enhanced cost-efficiency in pursuing global endurance racing programmes whilst elevating the spectacle for enthusiasts worldwide.

Mohammed ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, characterised the agreement as transformative for the sport’s trajectory. Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, emphasised the relationship’s foundation in shared commitment to endurance racing’s development since the championship’s establishment in 2012. Alberto Villarreal, General Manager at the FIA, highlighted the championship’s strengthened position within international motorsport, whilst Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management, underscored the momentum surrounding the championship across manufacturing, team and fan communities.

Source: WAM