Here is the news we were all hoping for: the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest have officially signed a massive, 10-year deal to jointly promote the World Endurance Championship, keeping the sportscar series secure through the end of the 2037 season. As Motorsport.com reports, this announcement completely shuts down recent speculation regarding a possible split between the two governing bodies.
That whisper network had been working overtime just weeks prior, following a report from German outlet Auto Motor und Sport that hinted at severe tensions and even a potential parting of ways next year. Both organizations moved quickly back then to clarify that the current arrangement actually ran until the end of 2027 instead of 2026. Now, on Wednesday, they have stamped out the noise entirely by adding a whole decade to that existing agreement.
“This is not simply an agreement, it is a vital step forward for racing that will secure the future of the FIA World Endurance Championship for years to come,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA. He further described it as a deal built for the future and a deal of the century, celebrating a collaborative relationship stretching back over 120 years.
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, shared that enthusiasm. “We are delighted to see the agreement between the FIA and the ACO extended, reinforcing the strong and long-standing relationship that has been at the heart of the FIA World Endurance Championship since its creation in 2012,” Fillon noted.
Under the terms of the new partnership, the joint statement outlines a clear vision to drive commercial success and expand the series. Once the extension kicks in, the FIA Working Group and FIA Endurance Championship will handle all regulatory processes, with the World Motor Sport Council stepping in to ratify decisions. Meanwhile, a streamlined process will see the FIA and the ACO jointly oversee the homologation of every machine competing in the Hypercar class.
The deal also brings visible changes to the race weekends themselves. The FIA is set to secure a larger footprint across the venues, featuring enhanced trackside branding, heavier presence in parc ferme and on the podiums, as well as prominent integration on safety cars and during TV broadcasts.
