Since the Hypercar regulations of 2021 the WEC has become the most exciting racing series of the present day. Ferrari, Porsche, Toyota, Cadillac, BMW, Alpine, Peugeot, Aston Martin, Ford — no other rule set has attracted so many factory programs in recent years.
What it is
- 8 races per season, each 6 to 24 hours long
- Three classes: Hypercar (LMH/LMDh), LMP2, LMGT3
- Crown: 24h Le Mans — scored in the WEC points system
- Global: Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East
The classes
Hypercar. The premier class. Hybrid prototypes with around 670 hp of system power. Factory cars: Ferrari 499P, Porsche 963, Toyota GR010 Hybrid, Cadillac V-Series.R, BMW M Hybrid V8, Alpine A424, Peugeot 9X8, Aston Martin Valkyrie LMH.
LMP2. Spec prototypes with a Gibson V8. A privateer class, often with a pro/bronze-silver-gold driver mix. Faster than GT3, slower than Hypercar.
LMGT3. GT3 regulations, run by homologated brands (Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lexus, McLaren, Lamborghini, Ford, Corvette). Mixed driver crews of professionals and amateurs.
Why it matters
- Factory density. No other rule set has so many manufacturers in the top program at the same time
- Le Mans. A 24-hour distance is a different sport from a sprint race
- Multi-class racing. Hypercar laps LMP2 laps GT3 — a strategic and driving complexity that a sprint race lacks
- Atmosphere. Spa, Le Mans, Fuji, Bahrain — endurance weekends have a pace that F1 no longer has
The ABXK take
The WEC is the series serious motorsport fans watch ahead of F1 in 2026. Anyone who wants to follow one season all the way through should pick the WEC — 8 races are manageable, the stories within the season develop, and Le Mans in summer is the natural crown.
WEC dates are marked on the 2026 calendar.
All champions since 2012
The complete WEC world champions list (top class) from 2012 to 2025.