Whilst there is much speculation over the latter part of the 2026 FIA WEC calendar as the security situation in the Middle East continues, the only absolute certainty today is that there is no decision quite yet on the outcome.
Senior sources have made it clear to DSC that whilst the longer the situation continues, the more difficult it will be to fulfil the current revised calendar, that decision has not yet been made.
DSC believes, however, that a firm ‘Plan B’ is already largely in place should travel to the region be ruled out.
The timing then was ripe for a chat with the man responsible for Qatar’s ‘end’ of the FIA WEC partnership, not only with calendar issues on the horizon, but, very significantly, because for the first time the proud nation has a driver carrying their flag in the race, and an entry bearing their country’s name. That comes courtesy of the third Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG entry.
The #62 for Team Qatar by Iron Lynx sees the mandatory Bronze-rated seat filled by Abdulla Al-Khelaifi, who has been making waves of late with real pace in both the Asian Le Mans Series and European Le Mans Series, scoring the first-ever Qatari pole position performances in both feeder series. That has seen Al-Khelaifi score double pole in Dubai over the winter and pole too in both of the opening European rounds at Barcelona and Paul Ricard.
Already then there is real and growing interest, not just from the Qatari sporting community, but also from the nation as a whole, as QMMF (Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation) President Abdul Rahman Al-Mannai told DSC.
“There is real and growing interest, and having the car, and a competitive driver carrying our national colours, is a major boost to our push to promote the sport within Qatar.
“The past three years have seen a big increase in interest in endurance racing, and I believe it will continue to grow. We take pride in putting on events at Losail that have lots to do.
“We have a very active programme of ongoing efforts to create a structured talent development programme for Qatari drivers across GT, single-seater, and prototype racing. Every success we can find helps towards those goals.
“The long-term goal is to ensure Qatari athletes are recruited by major factory teams and eventually compete in professional series ranging from Formula 4 to Formula 1.”
Those aspirations though have been dealt a substantial challenge in recent months due to the security situation in the region after Iran’s response to the attacks from Israel and the USA.
That has left real uncertainty over the short-term viability of international events not only in Qatar, but right across the Middle East.
For Qatar the challenge is widespread with the planned WEC season opener currently postponed and with Moto GP and Formula One Grand Prix events all now awaiting final decisions on their viability at present.
“We are all waiting to see if an agreement can be reached between Iran and the USA. Of course it is frustrating but it is a reality.”
There seems to be an acceptance that without a formalised diplomatic solution the chances of multiple international business-based entities agreeing to attend and compete with their assets and staff are slim.
“It’s currently difficult, the situation on the ground is fine, but the realities are clear.
“It must be said though that if we do see positive progress there is an immediate and very significant strategic advantage for Qatar.”
That’s a reference to the realities of the current calendars that would see the WEC, Moto GP and F1 events, should they be able to go ahead, all take place over a five-week period in October/ November.
“That level of major international motorsport events in such a short period of time would, inevitably, bring major opportunities too for Qatar’s tourism industry.”
2026 sees year three of a current seven-year partnership between LMEM and Qatar, and there’s no sign, with or without calendar issues this year, of a cooling in that relationship. Qatar is expected to feature as the venue for the Prologue and opening round in any published 2027 WEC calendar.
For now we can hope for cool heads amongst the involved parties in a truly worrying situation in the region, and for the nation of Qatar to get behind their first-ever entry in the biggest endurance race in the world – Who knows where that journey will take them?
Images courtesy of DSC
