Endurance car-racing opener in Qatar postponed because of 'geopolitical situation'

The decision follows the postponement of Asian Football Confederation club competition matches in the Middle East, the abandonment of the Euroleague basketball Under-18 qualifying tournament in Abu Dhabi at the weekend and the disruption on Tuesday of an ATP Challenger tennis tournament in the UAE's Fujairah after drone strikes on nearby oil refineries.

The endurance season will now begin with the Six Hours of Imola in Italy from April 17 to 19, the statement said. The eight-round season includes the 24-hour race at Le Mans in June.

"While we still need a few more days to finalise the exact revised date, I can confirm it will be during the second half of the 2026 season. We will provide more information as soon as it is available," said WEC chief Frederic Lequien.

The WEC is part of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) whose flagship competition, Formula One, opens its season this weekend in Melbourne although the arrival of team personnel has been disrupted by the closure of airspace and airports in the Middle East.

"The safety and well-being of our community will always be the FIA's first priority," FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is from Dubai, said in the statement.

"At this moment of uncertainty, we hope for calm and a swift return to stability. Dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities."

Formula One is scheduled to hold four Grand Prix around the Gulf this season. The fourth round is set for Bahrain on April 12, followed by Saudi Arabia the following weekend. The season ends with races at Lusail in November and Abu Dhabi on December 7.

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