FIA World Endurance Championships 2024 – all you need to know

The lowdown: FIA WEC 2024 line-up

This year there are two classifications for the 37-strong line up representing eight nations over the 2024 series of races. The new format promises one of the most highly competitive seasons with a wide variety of car makes and models:

Hypercar – the top level FIA WEC category, the Hypercar class is for specialised prototypes or cars based around road-going vehicles. The vision behind the Hypercar section is to foster variety and creativity for brands in technical aspects as well as design aesthetics, while ensuring sporting equality and keeping costs on a level playing field. There are a record number of 19 entries in the 2024 Hypercar season including car manufacturers Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche, Alpine, Cadillac, Peugeot, BMW,  Lamborghini and Isotta Fraschini.

LMGT3 – brand new class replacing the former LMGTE classification for amateur drivers. British manufacturer McLaren has teamed up with endurance racing specialists United Autosports to make its debut in the GT3 section. The Iron Lynx and Iron Dames teams make a return to GT3 this time in the Lamborghini Huracan. Encouraging more women into racing and promoting diversity in the sport is a key aim of FIA WEC, objectives supported by Avis.

There is a total of 18 LMGT3 entries for the 2024 season from car markers Aston Martin (2); BMW (2); Corvette (2); Ferrari (2); Ford (2); Lexus (2); Lamborghini Huracan (2); McLaren (2) and Porsche (2).

Doha, Qatar – Lusail International Circuit – 2 March

Where is Lusail International Circuit?
Highly regarded as one of the best motor racing circuits in the middle east, Lusail opened in 2004 and is a magnificent track, home of the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix and now, the FIA WEC. The track is on the coast in Lusail, the second largest city in Qatar, to the north of the capital Doha.

How to get to the Lusail International Circuit
If you are renting from Avis Doha International Airport, the 23km drive to the circuit via the Al Corniche will take around 29 minutes.

Lusail International Circuit weather
By the time of the WEC race held at Lusail International Circuit in March, the weather should be a comfortable 26 degrees in the daytime falling to around 17 degrees overnight.  

Which airport is closest to the Lusail International Circuit?
The nearest airport to Lusail International Circuit is Doha International Airport.

What is the Lusail International Circuit like?
Described as fast and flat, the circuit is surrounded by artificial grass to stop sand encroaching onto the track. The circuit has a record time of 1:23.196 set by Max Verstappen in 2021.

Highlight of the Lusail International Circuit?
A good mix of conditions including a variety of medium and high speed corners. Impressive night lighting.

Planning a road trip around Lusail International Circuit?
Feeling inspired by the action at Lusail International Circuit? There is plenty to see by hiring a car with Avis in Qatar from ancient monuments to the country’s stunning coastline and wilds of the desert.

Want tips on driving in Qatar and the Middle East?
New to driving in this part of the world? Find out more about our Avis locations in the Middle East.

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Imola, Italy – 21 April

Where is Imola Circuit?
The circuit at Imola, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, is southeast of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy.

How to get to Imola Circuit?
The easiest way to reach the Imola Circuit is probably by hire car. From Avis Bologna in the city centre, take the E45 toll road in under an hour depending on the time of day. Or if you are flying into Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) you’ll bypass the city and your trip to Imola from the Avis desk will be around 40min.

Bologna weather
Things will be warming up in this part of Italy in the spring so expect the mercury to rise to 17-20 degrees but also be ready for rain with an average of 7 days in April.

Which airport is closest to Imola?
Bologna Airport is the nearest airport to the Imola racetrack, but you are spoilt for choice in this part of Italy with flights to Rimini Airport (90km) and Parma (140km).

What’s the Imola circuit like?
The historic Imola circuit is regarded as highly technical, and drivers say new developments have made this track a free-flowing adrenaline rush.

Highlight of the Imola circuit?
The Imola circuit is one of only a small number to run in an anti-clockwise direction.

Planning a road trip around Imola?
Inspired by the action at Imola? Our experts have compiled some great road trips across the region including the best Italian road trips.

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Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, Belgium – 11 May

Where is Spa-Francorchamps Circuit?
The racetrack at Spa-Francorchamps, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, is 25 mins (30km) from the spa town of Spa. It is 7.1 km south of the E42 motorway, via the exit at Malmedy.

How to get to the racing circuit at Spa-Francorchamps
If you are renting from Avis Liege (65km), the drive along the undulating E42 motorway and out in the Belgian countryside to reach Spa-Francorchamps will take you around 50min, or for other locations the team at Avis Belgium will look forward to welcoming you. 

Spa-Francorchamps weather
Expect temperatures of around 18 degrees with some potential for rainfall but the weather at Spa Francorchamps is notoriously changeable so pack for all conditions – it snowed during the 2019 WEC race.

Which airport is closest to Spa-Francorchamps Circuit?
The nearest airports to Spa-Francorchamps Circuit with Avis vehicle rental are Brussels Airport (BRU) or Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL), both 140km from Spa.

What’s the Spa-Francorchamps circuit like?
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is one of the world's most beautiful motor racing circuits. Built in 1920, it is one of the oldest of the world’s top motor racing circuits in the calendar, built in 1920.

Highlight of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit?
The Eau Rouge complex featuring the rapid left (Eau Rouge) bend into the right hand Raidillon bend on an incline of 17%.

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Le Mans, France – 15-16 June

Which motor racing circuit hosts the FIA WEC in Le Mans?
The action in the FIA World Endurance Championship comes to the world-famous Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, also known as Circuit de la Sarthe located in Le Mans, Sarthe, France.

Where is Le Mans?
Le Mans is in the Northwest of France in the Department of Sarthe and in the Pays De La Loire region. It lies 200 km to the southwest of Paris.

How to get to Le Mans
If you’re heading to Le Mans, the nearest car rental location for Avis, Vehicle Rental Services Premium Partner to the FIA World Endurance Championships is at: Avis Le Mans Railway Station, or for other locations go to Avis France.

Which airport is closest to Le Mans?
The nearest airport to 24 Hours of Le Mans with Avis rental location: Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris (CDG) (150km), or Paris Orly (ORY) (239km)

Travel to Le Mans from Paris by TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Le Mans Railway Station, 54min

What’s the 24 hours of Le Mans like?
Going to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans is on the bucket list of most motor racing fans. The 24 Hours of Le Mans Circuit is called the ‘temple of endurance racing’. The event is a week-long spectacle starting on the Sunday before the race when cars and competitors gather in the centre of Le Mans watched by thousands of spectators.

Highlight of the Le Mans circuit?
Watch out for one of Circuit de la Sarthe’s most famous corners, Tertre Rouge (which translates to ‘red mound’, named after the colour of the soil around it).

Planning a road trip around Le Mans?
Feeling inspired by the action at Le Mans? Our experts have compiled some great road trips across the region including driving the Loire Valley.

Le Mans weather
The average temperature in Le Mans in June is 23 degrees Celsius. The summers in Le Mans are warm but not baking hot and in June conditions might be cloudy or rainy but that won’t dampen the party atmosphere.

Tickets
Unfortunately, this year’s 101st anniversary event is sold out but you can buy tickets for 24 Hours Le Mans practice circuits in the build up to the race.

São Paulo, Brazil – 14 July

Where is São Paulo Circuit?
The circuit at São Paulo, the Autódromo de Interlagos, is in the suburb of Interlagos to the south west of the southern coastal city of São Paulo in Brazil.

How to get to Interlagos Circuit?
There are options including bus, train or taxi to reach Interlagos Circuit from the centre of São Paulo, 25km away. However hiring a car from Avis Guarulhos Airport, a 64km drive, is one of the easiest ways to reach the Interlagos Circuit.

São Paulo weather
You are promised good weather in São Paulo in July with average temperatures of 23 degrees and just 3 days of rain over the month.

Which airport is closest to Interlagos?
There are three airports in São Paulo, two, Campo de Marte and Congonhas offer regional flights, while Guarulhos Airport is a major hub for international airlines around an hour’s drive from the circuit.

What’s the Interlagos circuit like?
Built in the 1940s, Interlagos is a demanding, twisting and undulating racetrack.

Highlight of the Interlagos circuit?
The Interlagos circuit is raced anti-clockwise. The Ferradura right corner has a bumpy surface and is regarded as one of the most difficult corners in racing.

Planning a road trip around São Paulo?
Inspired by the action at Interlagos? São Paulo maybe the largest city in the southern hemisphere but getting out to explore this region of Brazil by hire car offers plenty of variety from mountains to forests and beaches with one of the highlights being a drive along the coast between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

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Lonestar Le Mans, Cota, Texas, USA – 1 September

Where is Lonestar Le Mans?
Lonestar Le Mans is held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, USA. The racetrack is on a 1500-acre site in the hills above Austin.

How to get to Circuit of the Americas (COTA)
The Lonestar Le Mans venue at Circuit of Americas, is 18 miles to the south east of Downtown Austin, Texas. Rent a car from Avis Austin and travel to the circuit in under 30min along State Highway 71 E.

Austin, Texas weather
The heat will be on literally as the FIA WEC reaches its sixth stage in Austin, Texas with average daily highs of 32 degrees on the cards in September.

Which airport is closest to Circuit of the Americas
The nearest airport to Circuit of the Americas is a short 15min drive away at Austin Bergstrom Airport where you’ll find an Avis rental store. 

What’s the Circuit of the Americas like?
Opened in 2012 and designed by Hermann Tilke, the track is regarded as a good, high speed, technically challenging circuit with a European flavour.

Highlight of the Circuit of the Americas?
The exhilerating steep climb in the approach to the first turn.

Planning a road trip around Austin, Texas?
Feeling inspired by the action at Circuit of Americas racetrack? There are plenty of road trips to enjoy with your Avis Austin car rental, from city breaks to coastal drives and nature reserves. Here’s a great Austin Texas road trip for WEC fans to enjoy.

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Fuji, Japan - 15 September

Where is Fuji Speedway racetrack?
Fuji Speedway, home to the seventh stage of the 2024 FIA WEC is in the foothills of Mount Fuji, in the town of Oyama, Suntō District, Shizuoka Prefecture.

How to get to Fuji circuit:
The Fuji circuit is around 80min drive from the centre of Tokyo. There are options to travel via public transport including bus or train but these will involve a taxi ride to the track on the final leg of the journey. Alternatively for more flexibility, hire a car from Avis Tokyo.

Fuji weather
By the end of September you temperatures will be around 20-27 degrees but be aware that rain is an increasing risk with an average of 12 days over the month and weather can be a factor in the race itself.

Which airport is closest to Fuji Speedway?
The nearest airport to Fuji Speedway, Oyama with Avis rental is Tokyo Haneda Airport, a drive of 104km which will take around 1hr24min.

What’s the Fuji Speedway circuit like? 
Built in 1965 but remodelled by Hermann Tilke in 2005, on a clear day you’ll get a fine view of Mount Fuji from the stands.

Highlight of the Fuji Speedway circuit?
Great facilities for spectators including stunning views from the grandstands.

Planning a road trip around Fuji?
With the stunning scenery combined with autumn colours in September and October, combining watching the seventh leg of the FIA WEC with a road trip around Mount Fuji is an unmissable experience. 

Buy tickets
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Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain – 2 November

Where is Bahrain International Circuit?
Bahrain International Circuit is surrounded by the Sakhir Desert and close to the coast in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

How to get to Bahrain International Circuit
To reach Bahrain International Circuit, pick up a rental car from Avis Bahrain International Airport Muharraq an easy 40 min drive.

Bahrain weather
Expect glorious sunshine with temperatures in the upper 20s.

Which airport is closest to Bahrain International Circuit?
The nearest airport to Bahrain International Circuit, is Bahrain International Airport which is 40km away.

What’s the Bahrain International Circuit like?
The Bahrain International Circuit, designed by Hermann Tilke is a technical track and held its first Formula Grand Prix in 2004. Drivers have to battle with wind and weather changes plus driving under floodlights.

Highlight of the Bahrain International Circuit:
Two turns – a sharp left hand corner at 10 and then an exhilarating run through turn 12.

Planning a road trip from Bahrain?
Feeling inspired by the action at Bahrain racetrack? From the desert to the coast, there are some great road trips around Bahrain to round off your trip to FIA WEC in your Avis Bahrain rental car.

Get tickets
Find out more about FIA WEC Bahrain here.