Bahrain secures its place in the world endurance championship until 2036

It is official: the Bahrain International Circuit will remain a cornerstone of the FIA World Endurance Championship until at least 2036. This is a massive commitment that cements the Sakhir desert as a spiritual home for endurance racing, having been a fixture since the series' inaugural 2012 campaign. To date, only Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps have hosted the championship more often than the 14 races held here.

This circuit is a beast. With a 5.412km layout that demands 54 gear changes per lap and sends machines screaming toward 300km/h, it is a proper challenge for any driver. The shift to an eight-hour format has only increased the intensity, forcing teams to battle from the heat of the day deep into the night. It is a stunning setting for the season finale, and frankly, it is the right place to crown champions.

Looking ahead, the calendar is already taking shape with the 2026 weekend set for 5-7 November and the 2027 edition of the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain locked in for 4-6 November. FIA WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien rightfully highlighted the superb organization and the warm welcome from the local team that has made this a staple of the schedule for 14 years. It is a win for the sport, and I, for one, cannot wait for the many showdowns to come.