Qatar Airways is the Title Sponsor of the Qatar Airways Qatar 1812 Km FIA World Endurance Championship Hosted by Lusail International Circuit

Qatar is hosting the season opener of the championship from 29 February to 2 March 2024

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is growing its sport sponsorship portfolio as the Official Airline Partner and Title Partner of the Qatar Airways Qatar 1812 Km FIA World Endurance Championship. Hosted at the Lusail International Circuit, this exciting partnership marks a significant moment in the world of motorsport, as the award-winning airline joins forces with the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for its 12th season in 2024.

Qatar will host the season opener from 29 February to 2 March 2024 at the iconic Lusail International Circuit. The highly anticipated race, spanning nearly 10 hours, will be named the Qatar Airways Qatar 1812 Km.

Qatar Airways, renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovation, is proud to support the FIA World Endurance Championship at Lusail. With the introduction of WEC in Qatar’s diverse sporting landscape, Qatar Airways continues to foster world-class sport events in the country.

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori said: "Qatar Airways is joining forces with the Qatar 1812 World Endurance Championship as the Official Title Partner and Airline Partner. Staging this event allows us to connect with the discerning motorsport audience and fanbase and welcome them to our home and hub – Qatar. Our brand will be displayed trackside, and we look forward to engaging with fans at the circuit and with motorsport audiences online."

FIA World Endurance Championship CEO, Frédéric Lequien, stated: “We are delighted to welcome Qatar Airways onboard as our title sponsor for the inaugural Qatar Airways Qatar 1812 Km. We are two brands who are striving to deliver premium experiences for our customers and fans; therefore, this partnership is the perfect fit.”

Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation Executive Director and Lusail International Circuit CEO, Amro al-Hamad, said: "We are honored to partner with Qatar Airways for the Qatar Airways Qatar 1812 Km FIA World Endurance Championship. This collaboration highlights Qatar's growing significance as a hub for motorsports, and together, we are committed to elevating the standard of excellence in the industry."

The World Endurance Championship will embark on a thrilling journey across eight countries spanning four continents, showcasing the pinnacle of endurance racing. As part of the exciting season, the championship will witness a surge in participation from manufacturers such as Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Isotta Fraschini, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren and more. Overall, a record number of 19 Hypercars and 18 LMGT3 will be featured in the championship. Among the highlights, Valentino Rossi, a seven-time MotoGP World Champion is set to compete for Team WRT in LMGT3. Another exciting addition is Jenson Button, who was crowned the Formula One World Champion in 2009.

Fans and enthusiasts alike are invited to immerse themselves in the exhilarating atmosphere of the championship on and off the track. Attendees on each day will have the opportunity to experience the thrill of the race with grandstand and paddock access, witness their favourite cars up close during the pit-walk, engage with drivers during the meet and greet sessions and be entertained all weekend in the fan zone.

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About the FIA World Endurance Championship

The WEC is the world’s premier endurance racing championship, offering motor manufacturers a real-world relevance to advances in road car design and crossover technology, performance and safety. Strong, stable regulations allow for complex yet beautiful sports prototypes featuring the latest in hybrid technology, independent chassis and engines suppliers competing at the highest levels, and the world’s leading luxury car marques going head-to-head on track. Over 35 cars are on track at the same time, leading to action, excitement, endless passing and entertainment for fans worldwide.

The WEC offers teams, drivers, partners and stakeholders a unique stage on which to compete, at premier race circuits around the world. Ranked alongside the Olympics, the Super Bowl and the soccer World Cup, the cornerstone of the WEC remains one of the world’s greatest sporting events, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Contested over eight rounds across North America, South America Europe, Asia and the Middle East – there are races of varying distances, from the shortest at 6 hours to the longest at 24 hours.

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About Lusail International Circuit:

Qatar’s Lusail International circuit (LIC) is the Middle East’s premier motorsport and entertainment destination with a world-class FIA Grade 1 and FIM Grand A circuit. The Lusail International Circuit was designed for riders, drivers and fans alike, creating the longest motorsport pit lane building in the world, bespoke hospitality lounges and state-of-the-art facilities to support an action-packed calendar of international and regional motorsport and entertainment events.

Hosting the only Middle Eastern night race of the MotoGP World Championship since 2004 following the construction of the circuit, LIC has steadily grown its portfolio of major international motorsports events and, in November 2021, welcomed the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix to Doha along with a ten-year commitment to race in Qatar until 2032.

More recently, LIC announced that the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) will debut in Qatar as “Qatar Airways Qatar 1812 km” from 2024 to 2029. Now entering its twelfth year, WEC remains the world’s premier international sportscar championship with multiple cars racing simultaneously across two categories (Hypercar and LMGT3). Coupled with the world’s best racing drivers it delivers high-octane wheel-to-wheel action for fans.

Recent enhancements to the 5.148 kilometers Lusail International Circuit, such as innovative technology upgrades to the race control, media, and medical centers, new pit boxes, first-class hospitality experiences and expanded fan areas, advance the circuit’s ambition to provide unforgettable experiences to all visitors of the iconic circuit. 

Lusail International Circuit continues to support Qatar in expanding its global sporting portfolio as host to the world’s most prestigious motorsports events. LIC also embodies Qatar’s reputation as a welcoming and hospitable nation with impeccable prowess in welcoming fans, racers, and teams from across the globe. 

For press enquiries, please contact:

The Lusail International Circuit team at media@lcsc.qa