FIA WEC explained: classes, Hyperpole and race strategy
The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is the world championship for sports car racing. Hypercar prototypes and LMGT3 cars share the track in races of six hours or more, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is part of the championship. These guides explain how it all works, from the two classes to qualifying, stints and race strategy.
What are the classes in the WEC?
Two classes race together, each with its own result and its own championship.
- Hypercar class explained: the top class, with the two technical rule sets LMH and LMDh, the 2026 manufacturers and how the homologation cycle works.
- LMGT3 class explained: the GT class, which manufacturers race, and how the Pro-Am driver rule works.
How does WEC qualifying work?
What is Hyperpole? explains the knockout qualifying format that the WEC uses all season, the driver rules, and the special format at Le Mans.
How is a WEC race won?
- Stint explained: what a stint is, how long one lasts, and the driving-time rules that shape a crew.
- Strategy and pit cycles explained: fuel and tyre strategy, driver rotation, Full Course Yellows and Safety Cars.
- Slow Zones explained: the neutralisation system used on the long lap at Le Mans.
What are the rules behind the cars and drivers?
- Balance of Performance explained: how racing series balance different cars against each other.
- FIA driver ratings explained: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze, and why they matter in LMGT3.
- Homologation explained: how a car is approved to race.
Follow the 2026 WEC season
- FIA WEC 2026 hub: calendar, results and our race reports in one place.
- FIA WEC 2026 results: every race, podium and LMGT3 winner.
- FIA WEC standings 2026: drivers, manufacturers and LMGT3 tables.
- WEC 2027 calendar: next season’s rounds and dates.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans
The longest and most famous race of the season has its own guides: our 24 Hours of Le Mans explained page and the Circuit de la Sarthe overview. For the European feeder series, see What is the European Le Mans Series?