News Summary
- FIA and ACO confirm their WEC agreement remains valid through the end of 2027.
- The 24 Hours of Le Mans is therefore not at risk of leaving WEC next season.
- Negotiations are under way over an extension beyond 2027, although other reported tensions remain unaddressed.
FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest have denied that their World Endurance Championship agreement could end before the 2027 season, confirming that the existing contract remains valid until the end of next year.
The joint clarification removes the immediate threat of the 24 Hours of Le Mans disappearing from the WEC calendar in 2027.
The possibility emerged after Auto Motor und Sport reported that FIA and ACO were divided over the championship’s future. The German publication claimed there was no agreement in place for next season and that FIA could open a tender to appoint a different WEC promoter.
Because ACO owns and organises the 24 Hours of Le Mans, replacing its promotional operation would have raised doubts over whether the championship could retain its most important race.
However, statements supplied to Sportscar365 confirm that the contractual position is different. FIA said the current agreement “remains in place until the end of 2027”, with discussions focused on extending the partnership beyond that date.
FIA credited the growth experienced by the championship since the introduction of the Hypercar and LMGT3 regulations to collaboration between the governing body, ACO, Le Mans Endurance Management, manufacturers, teams, drivers and supporters.
ACO issued a similar statement, saying negotiations about WEC’s future beyond 2027 are “progressing as planned”.
The French organisation added that discussions are being conducted in a constructive manner, with both sides committed to the championship’s continued development.
That distinction is important. The previous report raised two separate questions: whether WEC had a valid promotional agreement for 2027 and whether the relationship between senior figures at FIA and ACO had deteriorated.
The first has now been answered. WEC’s existing structure will continue through next season, keeping Le Mans within the championship.
The second remains unresolved. Neither FIA nor ACO directly addressed the reported tension between FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and ACO president Pierre Fillon.
They also did not respond to the claim that Richard Mille could leave his position as president of the FIA Endurance Commission at the end of 2026.
The clarification therefore changes the immediate conclusion of the earlier FIA–ACO dispute report, but it does not disprove every aspect of the original account.
WEC has already announced a nine-round calendar for 2027, including the return of Silverstone and the traditional season finale in Bahrain. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is scheduled for June 12-13.
The calendar was approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council in June. It will also feature the highly anticipated Hypercar debuts of McLaren and Ford.
WEC returns from September 24-27 for the 6 Hours of Fuji, the sixth round of the 2026 season.
WEC, IMSA and endurance: FAQ
Who will Alex Quinn drive for in the 2027 WEC season?
Alex Quinn will join Peugeot’s factory Hypercar line-up in 2027, graduating from the manufacturer’s test and development programme. The British driver secured a multi-year agreement after winning the 2026 IMSA LMP2 championship and establishing himself in international endurance racing.
Who won the 2026 IMSA GTP championship?
Jack Aitken won the 2026 IMSA GTP Drivers’ Championship driving Cadillac machinery. The title was awarded individually, explaining why Aitken could become champion despite sharing his car with other drivers during endurance events.
Who will race for Peugeot in the 2027 WEC Hypercar season?
Alex Quinn is confirmed as a Peugeot factory Hypercar driver for 2027, following his promotion from test and development duties. The newly crowned IMSA LMP2 champion has signed a multi-year agreement and will race the Peugeot 9X8, although his complete driver crew has not yet been announced.
