FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Celebrates 24 Hours of Le Mans as a Global Motorsport Landmark
The 2026 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is set to reinforce its status as one of the world’s most iconic motorsport events, with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem attending the legendary endurance race this weekend as it enters another historic chapter.
Held at the renowned Circuit de la Sarthe in France, the race remains a cornerstone of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and continues to represent the highest standards of innovation, engineering, endurance, and competitive excellence.
FIA President Highlights Le Mans’ Enduring Legacy
Ahead of the event, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, described the race as one of the defining landmarks in global motorsport.
He emphasised that for more than a century, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has pushed the boundaries of innovation, teamwork, and performance while continuing to inspire generations of drivers, teams, engineers, and fans worldwide.
Ben Sulayem also recognised the contribution of organisers and stakeholders involved in maintaining the event’s international reputation and long-standing success.
Record 14 Manufacturers Assemble at Circuit de la Sarthe
This year’s edition will feature a record participation of 14 manufacturers, underlining the growing competitiveness and global appeal of endurance racing.
The event continues to attract leading automotive brands seeking to showcase advances in:
- Vehicle performance
- Motorsport engineering
- Endurance technologies
- Team strategy and execution
- Sustainable innovation
Among the notable highlights of the 2026 race is the Le Mans debut of Genesis Magma Racing, adding further anticipation to an already highly competitive field.
Organisers are expecting more than 332,000 spectators across the event, alongside a substantial international television audience.
FIA World Endurance Championship Continues Strong Growth
The FIA World Endurance Championship has experienced significant momentum in recent seasons, with audience engagement and global reach continuing to expand.
According to championship figures:
- Total cumulative television audience reached 43.4 million viewers in 2025
- This represented a 37 per cent increase compared with 2024
- The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans was broadcast across 190 countries
- The race weekend attracted 10.7 million cumulative television viewers
The continued growth reflects increasing global interest in endurance racing and the championship’s ability to attract manufacturers, sponsors, and international audiences.
Innovation and Competition Drive Endurance Racing Forward
Le Mans remains widely recognised as one of motorsport’s most demanding tests, requiring teams to balance speed, durability, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making across a continuous 24-hour period.
The event has historically served as a platform for automotive innovation, with many technologies later influencing production vehicles and wider mobility solutions.
FIA Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Motorsport Development
As endurance racing continues to evolve, the FIA has reiterated its commitment to supporting the discipline through:
- Strong governance frameworks
- Continuous technological innovation
- Enhanced sustainability initiatives
- Improved safety standards
These priorities aim to ensure endurance racing continues to grow while preserving the competitive spirit and technical excellence that define the sport.
With record manufacturer participation and expanding global audiences, the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans is expected to deliver another milestone moment in international motorsport.
