THE opening race of the World Endurance Championship season has been postponed due to the war in Iran.
FIA chiefs confirmed the decision in an official statement.
The season opener had been due to take place at the Qatar 1812km between March 26-28.
But amid conflict in the Middle East, the decision has been made to postpone the event more than three weeks in advance.
The FIA posted on X: “The Qatar 1812km – originally scheduled to stage the opening round of the 2026 @FIAWEC on 26-28 March – has been officially postponed until later in the year.”
An official FIA World Endurance Championship statement added: “The Qatar 1812km – originally scheduled to stage the opening round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign on 26-28 March – has been officially postponed until later this year.
“FIA WEC management has been in constant dialogue with the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) in light of the current and evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
“With the safety and security of competitors, personnel and fans of the utmost importance, the decision has been taken to delay the event that had been due to take place on 26-28 March.”
The WEC went on to confirm that the new date would be during the second half of the season.
Their statement added: “Following further discussions with out colleagues at Lusail International Circuit (LIC), where the race is held, a new date for the Qatar 1812km during the second half of the season will be finalised and communicated in due course.
The statement then confirmed where the season will begin instead.
It concluded: “The first round of the season will consequently now be the 6 hours of Imola in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy on 17-19 April.”
Ferrari won last year’s WEC Championship ahead of Toyota.
British driver James Calado is the reigning world champion, alongside team-mates Alessandro Pier Guidi and former F1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi.
