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The 2026 World Endurance Championship (WEC) is gearing up for its sixth thrilling round at the iconic Fuji Speedway. Following the dramatic events of the Lone Star Le Mans, the championship battles are intensifying, promising an electrifying showcase of speed and strategy.

Details of the Fuji 6 Hours Endurance Race

From September 25th to 27th, 2026, the Fuji Speedway in Japan will host the WEC Fuji 6 Hours. This pivotal event on the racing calendar offers crucial points as teams strive for the coveted world titles.

Following a challenging outing in Austin, Ferrari's championship aspirations have received a significant boost. Meanwhile, Japanese giant Toyota, competing on home turf, is determined to rebound from its previous race's late-stage setbacks. Armed with their formidable TR010 Hybrid, which has already clinched the Le Mans 24 Hours this season, Toyota aims to secure another victory and solidify its championship contention.

Other major contenders, including BMW and Cadillac, are also focused on a strong comeback. BMW's Team WRT-operated M Hybrid V8s are expected to deliver a powerful performance. Alpine, amidst speculation of a potential sale of its LMDh program, views this Far East race as an opportunity to attract new buyers, potentially seeing its A424 cars compete under a different banner next year.

The LMGT3 class promises fierce competition, with the title chase wide open. Despite disappointments for TF Sport Corvette and Manthey Porsche in Austin, AF Corse Ferrari's #21 entry has rekindled its championship hopes. The class saw Mattia Drudi claim his inaugural WEC win aboard the Heart of Racing Aston Martin in Texas, indicating that other formidable teams like Ford-Proton Competition, Mercedes-Iron Lynx, Garage 59 McLaren, WRT WRT, and local favorite Lexus's ASP customer team are all in the running. Fans can anticipate an exciting battle down to the very last lap.

Race Weekend Schedule:

The action kicks off on Friday, September 25th, with two 90-minute free practice sessions, allowing teams to fine-tune their machines for the upcoming qualifying and main race. Saturday, September 26th, features a final 60-minute practice session before the qualifying rounds. The LMGT3 cars will hit the track first, followed by the high-performance Hypercar session. The main event, the Fuji 6 Hours race, is scheduled to begin in the late morning on Sunday, September 27th, local time. Due to Japan's nine-hour time difference from GMT, European viewers should prepare for an early morning start to catch the live broadcast.

• Friday, September 25:
• Free Practice 1: 10:15 - 11:45 (Local Time)
• Free Practice 2: 14:30 - 16:00 (Local Time)

• Saturday, September 26:
• Free Practice 3: 09:30 - 10:30 (Local Time)
• LMGT3 Qualifying: 14:00 - 14:12 (Local Time)
• LMGT3 Hyperpole: 14:20 - 14:30 (Local Time)
• Hypercar Qualifying: 14:40 - 14:52 (Local Time)
• Hypercar Hyperpole: 15:00 - 15:10 (Local Time)

• Sunday, September 27:
• Race (6 hours): 11:00 (Local Time)

Broadcast Information:

Fans across Europe can watch the entire World Endurance Championship on Eurosport. In North America, MotorTrend and HBO+ will provide comprehensive coverage. Additionally, the championship's dedicated FIAWEC+ website and app will offer live timing and broadcast access for every session. While Free Practice 1 and 2 will not be televised live, fans can stay updated through the official live timing services. Live television coverage will commence with Free Practice 3.

The upcoming Fuji 6 Hours promises to be a spectacular display of endurance racing, pushing both man and machine to their limits. With critical championship points on the line, the event is set to deliver unforgettable moments for motorsport enthusiasts worldwide. The outcome of this race could significantly reshape the title standings, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the 2026 WEC season. We eagerly anticipate the thrilling performances and strategic masterstrokes that will undoubtedly unfold on the challenging Fuji circuit.

Alpine has revealed a significant shift in its driver roster for the forthcoming World Endurance Championship event at Fuji Speedway, opting to remove Antonio Felix da Costa and Fred Makowiecki from their positions. This decision sees the team transitioning to two-driver configurations for the sixth round of the series. While Alpine has yet to issue a definitive statement on the full season, it is widely anticipated that neither da Costa nor Makowiecki will rejoin the team for the concluding races in Barcelona and Monza. This strategic adjustment by Alpine coincides with a period of transformation for the manufacturer, including speculation surrounding its future in the Hypercar category and potential driver movements.

The move to a two-driver format reflects a broader trend within the World Endurance Championship, particularly as the schedule increasingly features shorter, six-hour events rather than extended endurance races. This adaptation allows teams greater flexibility in race strategy and provides individual drivers with increased time behind the wheel during practice sessions. This driver reshuffle also fuels speculation about da Costa's future, with rumors suggesting a possible move to Cadillac for the upcoming season, which would see him rejoining the Jota team, with whom he previously achieved success in both Le Mans and WEC LMP2 championships in 2022.

Alpine's Roster Reshuffle for Fuji

Alpine's decision to modify its driver line-up for the Fuji round of the World Endurance Championship involves the withdrawal of Antonio Felix da Costa and Fred Makowiecki. This move is part of a broader shift towards a two-driver system for the upcoming six-hour race, aligning with current trends in the WEC for events of this duration. The original entry list for the Fuji 6 Hours had included both da Costa and Makowiecki, but Alpine's recent announcement confirms their absence from the race. There is a strong indication that these drivers will not be returning for the final two events of the season in Barcelona and Monza, although official confirmation from Alpine regarding their long-term status for the 2026 campaign is still pending.

The change to two-driver teams is becoming increasingly prevalent in the Hypercar class, as it offers tactical advantages during races and provides drivers with more significant track time during practice sessions. This strategic flexibility is particularly beneficial in the context of the WEC's revised calendar, which now features more six-hour races and fewer long-distance events like those previously held in Qatar and Bahrain. This operational adjustment allows teams to optimize their resources and performance. For instance, other prominent teams such as Aston Martin and Cadillac have also adopted two-driver crews in various races, demonstrating a growing preference for this format under specific race conditions. This strategic shift not only impacts immediate race performance but also has potential long-term implications for driver careers and team dynamics within the highly competitive World Endurance Championship.

Strategic Implications and Future Outlook

The changes in Alpine's driver roster are taking place during a significant transitional period for the brand, as the Renault Group has signaled its intention to exit the Hypercar category by the end of the current year. Consequently, Alpine's operational partner, Signatech, is actively seeking a new manufacturer to assume control of the racing program. This search has reportedly seen strong links emerge with Chinese automotive brand Geely, with discussions suggesting a potential partnership for the 2027 season. Such a collaboration would mark a new chapter for the team and could redefine its competitive landscape within endurance racing.

Furthermore, Antonio Felix da Costa's probable departure from Alpine adds weight to ongoing rumors about his future in motorsports. Speculation suggests he may join Cadillac next year, a move that would see him reunited with the Jota team. This reunion would be particularly notable given their past successes, including victories at Le Mans and in the WEC LMP2 titles in 2022. While Alpine achieved its first Hypercar victory with the A424 at Fuji exactly a year prior, this season has presented greater challenges due to heightened competition in the Hypercar class. Despite these difficulties, the team recently secured a podium finish at Austin, with da Costa, Milesi, and Habsburg placing third in the Lone Star Le Mans, indicating their continued capability amidst significant changes and future uncertainties.