The World Endurance Championship (WEC) returns to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the second round of the 2026 WEC season from May 7 to May 10. The fan-favourite 6 Hours of Spa will serve as the perfect rehearsal ahead of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Track History
Nestled deep in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most iconic tracks on the WEC calendar and is rich in history. The first major motorsport event was the inaugural F1 Belgian Grand Prix in 1925, and it has since witnessed the evolution of motorsport over the century.
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is also one of two tracks that have been featured in all 14 WEC campaigns to date. The other track is the Circuit de la Sarthe, which hosts the 24 Hours of Le Mans next month.
Track Guide
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps stretches 7.004 km, making it the longest permanent circuit on the calendar. There are a total of 20 turns throughout the circuit, 9 left and 11 right, which gives the circuit its signature rollercoaster-like layout.
Known for its high speeds and dramatic elevation changes, it is a favourite for drivers and fans alike. The track balances raw speed with extreme technical difficulties, which makes for an exciting and unpredictable 6 Hours of Spa.
A key highlight of the iconic circuit is the Eau Rouge and Radillon sequence. The 17% gradient and blind crest forces drivers to navigate high-speed compression, which makes it extremely physically demanding. The sequence serves as a relentless test of a driver’s physical resilience and technical precision.
Another key aspect that makes the 6 Hours of Spa so iconic is the infamous microclimate that is unique to the circuit. Due to the length of the circuit and the environment, it is common to have split track conditions during wet weather. This geographical trait of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps emphasises the importance of tyre strategy and adds to the unpredictability of the 6 Hours of Spa.
Point System
In WEC, the point system varies on the duration of the race. For the 6 Hours of Spa, they will be awarded as follows:
| 1st: 25 points 2nd: 18 points 3rd: 15 points 4th: 12 points 5th: 10 points | 6th: 8 points 7th: 6 points 8th: 4 points 9th: 2 points 10th: 1 point |
Who Topped the Podium in 2025
Ferrari dominated the 2025 6 Hours of Spa in both the Hypercar and LMGT3 categories.
In the Hypercar class, the 2025 WEC champions, the No. 51 Ferrari AF Corse, triumphed. The No. 50 Ferrari AF Corse finished behind in second. The No. 36 Alpine Endurance Team car rounded off the podium in third.
While in the LMGT3 class, both Ferrari Vista AF Corse cars made it to the podium. The No. 21 Ferrari won the class, while the No. 54 Ferrari took third. The No. 88 Ford Proton Competition separated the pair and placed second.
Championship Overview
A month prior, at the season opener in Imola, Toyota triumphed in the Hypercar class with its 2026 challenger, the TR010 Hybrid, which proved to be dominant on track and claimed first and third on the podium. However, the reigning champion Ferrari was close behind and separated the team, claiming second.
Along with Toyota and Ferrari, Alpine is another team which many will have their eyes on at Spa. Alpine are a fan-favourite at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps with eight 6 Hours of Spa victories to their name.
The No. 69 BMW Team WRT won the LMGT3 class by a mere 0.265s ahead of the No. 33 TF Sport Corvette. The close victory was brought home to the team by Parker Thompson, who made his WEC debut the same weekend.
The No. 69 BMW car will be one to look out for at the 6 Hours of Spa alongside the Corvette and McLaren, who will be looking to redeem themselves after losing the lead due to a sudden loss of power in the closing laps of the race, despite having led the majority of the 6 Hours of Imola.