“Qatar 1812” is the official name of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) race to be staged for the first time at the Lusail International Circuit in early March 2024. The announcement was made during a press conference in Paris, where the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar, with eight races across four continents, was confirmed.

Covering around 1812 km and lasting under 10 hours, the race is named after the date of Qatar National Day, a pillar of celebration every year on 18 December (18/12). The name evokes a proud tradition as Qatar opens the 12th season of the prestigious global endurance series for the first time and strengthens its standing in the world of motorsports events.

Against the backdrop of the newly redesigned 5.418km Lusail International Circuit, Qatar will host both the WEC Prologue in February and the season-opener in March 2024, welcoming the world’s top endurance race drivers and premier brands showcasing the latest Hypercars. The race is a new challenge on the WEC calendar, after the FIA World Endurance Championship signed a six-year contract for the race to be hosted in Qatar until 2029.

The announcement comes as upgrades to the Lusail International Circuit near completion. The enhancements will ensure that the circuit offers an exceptional experience for drivers, teams, and spectators.

From cutting-edge technology upgrades to the race control, media and medical centers, new pit boxes, and expanded fan areas, the upgrade represents a significant milestone in Qatar's commitment to delivering state-of-the-art facilities for motorsport enthusiasts. It reaffirms Lusail International Circuit as an up-and-coming premier destination for motorsports events, which include the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix and Qatar MotoGP along with the Geneva International Motor Show later this year.

Source and cover image credit: Press Release

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

Vrinda Abilash

Start a discussion