The FIA and ACO have both clarified that its partnership agreement for the FIA World Endurance Championship is already confirmed through the end of the 2027 season, with both organizations working together to ‘ensure the long-term success’ of the championship.
It comes following a report published on Thursday by German publication Auto Motor und Sport which stated that a contract was not in place for next year, suggesting the FIA could even soon post a public tender for the promotion of the WEC.
This information, according to both organizations, is not accurate.
“The FIA World Endurance Championship has enjoyed sustained growth since the introduction of the Hypercar and LMGT3 regulations, competing this season across seven countries,” a statement from the FIA, supplied to Sportscar365, read.
“This achievement is the result of extensive collaboration between drivers, teams, manufacturers, the FIA, the ACO, the promoter LMEM and the millions of fans who follow the championship.
“The FIA and ACO are continuing discussions regarding an extension of the promoter agreement. The current agreement with ACO remains in place until the end of 2027.”
The ACO’s statement, also supplied to Sportscar365, added that the contract extension discussions are “progressing as planned” and with a “shared commitment” to ensure the future of the world championship.
“The ACO and the FIA have been working closely together for many years on the development of the FIA WEC, which was created in 2012,” the ACO statement read.
“This longstanding cooperation has supported the growth and global profile of the World Championship, which is currently experiencing particularly strong momentum, with growing interest from manufacturers, teams, partners, media and fans.
“Against this backdrop, the ACO and the FIA are currently engaged in discussions regarding the future of the FIA WEC beyond 2027.
“These discussions are progressing as planned, in a constructive spirit and with a shared commitment to preparing the future of the World Championship.
“Both organizations remain fully committed to their collaboration and are working together to ensure the continued development and long-term success of the FIA WEC.”
While there has been clarification from both parties on the current contract length, neither addressed a number of the claims made in the German report from renowned motorsport journalist Marcus Schurig, including that the personal relationship between FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and ACO President Pierre Fillon is currently strained.
It is also unclear if FIA Endurance Commission President Richard Mille will be forced out of his position at years’ end, as the article states.
