The World Endurance Championship (WEC) could be welcoming the iconic Silverstone back to its calendar in 2027, marking the first time the historic circuit has been included since 2019. This development comes amidst plans for an expanded calendar, adding a ninth round to the championship.
Despite a flourishing WEC, the 2026 calendar is likely to mirror the current and previous year’s schedules. This decision stems from the WEC’s commitment to balancing growth with fiscal responsibility, as outlined by CEO Frédéric Lequien last June. He emphasized the importance of considering budgets while striving to reach a broader audience through eight races across five regions.
However, the 2026 season will see a minor adjustment in the scheduling of the first race, the 1812 km of Qatar. Due to the Ramadan period, the season opener will be pushed to late March from its usual February slot. This change will minimize the gap between the Qatar 1812 km and the Imola 6 Hours, scheduled for mid-April under contract through 2028.
The question arises – why did Silverstone vanish from the WEC’s calendar? From 2012 to 2019, the circuit was a regular feature, even hosting the season opener multiple times. However, the demise of the LMP1 category led to a scaling down of operations for two seasons until the introduction of the Hypercar regulations. Additionally, disagreements between the championship and local promoters over event promotion and pricing led to a decline in attendance and ultimately, Silverstone’s removal.
Fast forward to the present, and the WEC has transformed into a global powerhouse. Silverstone can ill afford to overlook the second-largest FIA-sanctioned world championship that boasts participation from marquee manufacturers such as Ferrari, BMW, Porsche, Toyota, Peugeot, Alpine, Cadillac, and Aston Martin, among others. Moreover, Genesis is slated to join the championship next year. The WEC has set attendance records at every circuit it visited last season, reflecting its growing popularity.
Similarly, the WEC cannot ignore the importance of returning to the United Kingdom, a major hub for motorsport, and specifically, Silverstone, the heart of ‘Motorsport Valley’. After maintaining a sensible eight-round approach in 2026, a more ambitious plan is anticipated for 2027, with the inclusion of Ford and McLaren further bolstering the impressive Hypercar grid.
The WEC’s financial health has significantly improved compared to six years ago. A controversial but strategic move was the Qatar deal, secured until 2029, with the objective of facilitating a return to historic circuits. After the successful return of Interlagos in 2024, fans and competitors alike echo the sentiment – it’s time for Silverstone to take its rightful place in the WEC calendar.
Silverstone’s reintroduction will undoubtedly thrill many, especially purist fans eager to see their cherished discipline reconnect with a historic circuit. Silverstone’s endurance heritage dates back to 1976, hosting the World Endurance Championship for the first time. The track has witnessed several iconic wins, including those of John Fitzpatrick and Tom Walkinshaw in a BMW 3.5 CSL, and multiple victories by Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass in a factory Porsche 935. The circuit has been a significant part of major endurance championships 32 times since 1976, and fans are eagerly awaiting its triumphant return.