Sebring to Open 2022 Season in Six-Race Calendar

Photo: Toyota

The FIA World Endurance Championship will return to Sebring International Raceway after a two-year hiatus for the kickoff of its 2022 season.

Announced on Friday during the ACO’s annual press conference at Le Mans, the globe-trotting championship will remain at a six-round calendar next year although is set to feature both Sebring and Fuji Speedway for the first time in three years.

Both events were canceled this year due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions and replaced by Portimao and a second race in Bahrain, respectively.

The 1000 Miles of Sebring on March 18 will be part of the so-called ‘Super Sebring’ weekend that includes the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on the following day.

A two-day Prologue pre-season test will occur at the Florida airfield circuit the weekend prior.

Spa-Francorchamps will play host to Round 2 in May prior to the 24 Hours of Le Mans moving back to its traditional mid-June date and a return to Monza for the second consecutive season.

Fuji is slated to return on Sept. 11 before the season closes out in Bahrain in mid-November.

The 2022 WEC schedule sees no date clashes with the WeatherTech Championship.

Considerations were made to add a seventh event in 2022 although has been ultimately ruled out on the grounds of costs.  

“Our aim was to create both a global and cost-effective package in what has been a difficult past 18 months for our manufacturers and teams,” said WEC CEO Frederic Lequien.

“With the 2022 calendar, we have achieved the perfect blend of classic race tracks and endurance racing heritage. We are confident that the Season 10 schedule will be popular with both competitors and fans alike.”

ACO President Pierre Fillon said the 2022 calendar is designed to “maximize team exposure while keeping costs down.”

“Motor racing calendars have never been subject to such disruption as during the pandemic and this schedule obviously accounts for the current situation,” said Fillon.

“I look forward to seeing you in the U.S. in March for an exciting tenth season.”

2022 FIA World Endurance Championship Schedule
March 12-13 — Sebring Prologue
March 18 — 1000 Miles of Sebring
May 7 — TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
June 11-12 — 24 Hours of Le Mans
July 10 — 6 Hours of Monza
Sept. 11 — 6 Hours of Fuji
Nov. 12 — 8 Hours of Bahrain

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John