Qatar will become the host country of the popular FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) next year, adding one more major event to its long list of top-notch sports competitions held in the Gulf state over the years. “Qatar 1812” yesterday was unveiled as the official name of the Endurance race that is scheduled to be held in March 2024 at the iconic Lusail International Circuit.
Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) made the announcement at a press conference in Paris, where the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar comprising eight races across four continents, was confirmed. The race to be held at Lusail is named after the date of Qatar National Day, a pillar of celebration every year on 18 December (18/12). The name evokes a proud tradition as Qatar opens the 12th season of the prestigious global endurance series for the first time and strengthens its standing in the world of motorsports events.
FIA World Endurance Championship is the addition to QMMF’s annual calendar, which also have the MotoGP and Formula One races. The race will be covering around 1812km and will last under 10 hours. Against the backdrop of the newly redesigned 5.418km Lusail International Circuit, Qatar will host both the WEC Prologue in February and the season-opener in March 2024, welcoming the world’s top endurance race drivers and premier brands showcasing the latest Hypercars.
The race is a new challenge on the WEC calendar, after the FIA World Endurance Championship signed a six-year contract for the race to be hosted in Qatar until 2029. QMMF President Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai said: “Endurance is a trait in Qatar’s very DNA; it is in these traditions that our legacy continues with the most iconic number and date for the Qatari people. Every kilometre driven will be a nod to our national identity and the growth that Qatar shows year upon year.” FIA WEC CEO Frederic Lequien said: “We always enjoy bringing the spirit of Le Mans to new territories and the extensive renovations that are currently underway at Lusail will make our WEC season-opener a magical experience for fans coming to Qatar from all over the world.”
The upgrades on the Lusail International Circuit are nearing completion as the venue is getting set to offer an exceptional experience for drivers, teams, and spectators. Also confirmed as venue for the Formula One and MotoGP races for many more seasons, the circuit will play vital role in maintaining Qatar’s status as the world’s sports hub after the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 hailed as the best ever football showpiece.
