Endurance Racing: Ferrari the Favorite, French Chances, and 5 Things to Know About the 2026 WEC Season

The 2026 World Endurance Championship (WEC) season kicks off this weekend at Imola, Italy, and Le Figaro is here to guide you through everything you need to know. After a lengthy hiatus since the November 2025 finale in Bahrain, the roar of Hypercars will once again fill the air, captivating millions of fans as they prepare for the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans in mid-June.

This season promises intense competition with eight manufacturers vying for supremacy. Ferrari, fresh off a dominant 2025 season where they secured both titles, enters as the clear favorite. Their impressive performance, including multiple wins and podium finishes at Le Mans, has made them the benchmark. However, the FIA's Balance of Performance (BOP) system aims to keep the playing field level, a tool that has previously worked against Ferrari when they were too dominant. This year, Ferrari is uniquely positioned by entering three Hypercars, giving them an edge in development and strategy.

The calendar itself has seen significant adjustments, notably the postponement of the Qatar race due to the conflict in the Middle East. This reshuffling means teams have fewer races, specifically only two, to prepare for the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans. This compressed schedule presents a unique challenge for teams like French hopefuls Peugeot and Alpine, who will be looking to challenge the established order. From a French perspective, the focus remains on the performance of our national manufacturers, Peugeot and Alpine, as they aim to reclaim glory on the world stage, particularly at their home race at Le Mans.