It's back! Silverstone returns to the WEC calendar in major boost for fans and manufacturers
WEC (World Endurance Championship) has officially entered an aggressive era of global expansion leveraging its massive “hypercar boom” to reclaim motorsport’s most commercially and historically vital markets. To cement the significance of the return, WEC confirmed that the winners of the 2027 6 Hours of Silverstone will be awarded the Royal Automobile Club’s legendary Tourist Trophy. As one of the oldest and most prestigious prizes in motorsport history, the trophy immediately elevates the sporting prestige of the event to match the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Silverstone CEO Stuart Pringle pointed out that the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) and the ACO share a deeply rooted friendship. The duration of this newly signed 2027 WEC hosting contract will actively cross the 100 year anniversary of their formal relationship. The pathway back to the world championship was quietly paved in 2025, when the ACO’s secondary division successfully returned to Silverstone. The massive crowds and smooth execution of that race served as direct operational test, proving the circuit was ready to accommodate the top tier hypercar paddock once again.
Pringle, Chief Executive Officer of Silverstone Circuit on celebrating the centennial partnership.
“Bringing the spectacular hypercar era to Silverstone is the ultimate way to reward our loyal fans and mark a truly historic milestone on our shared endurance racing legacy.”
Emphasis on the deep historical ties between French and British endurance organisations reframes the event. It shifts the narrative of the 2027 race from just another business addition on an expanded calendar to a prestigious, celebratory reunion for the sport’s core institutions.
The choice of venue serves as a major logistical and corporate reward for the industry’s workforce. The vast major on international sports car operations, mechanics and specialised suppliers are based inside the UK’s “Motorsport Valley.” Returning to Silverstone completely removes the burden of customs, temporary entry carnets and international flights for a large portion of the paddock, giving teams a rare “home turf” race with lower operational friction.
The return instantly shifts the promotional weight of the championship acting as a massive corporate catalyst for local marques. For home country automotive heavyweights like Aston Martin and McLaren, the event provides a long overdue corporate sandbox. On the account of the vast majority of the sport’s high tech infrastructure, teams and personnel are geopolitically concentrated in the UK, a home race enables localised, cost effective sponsor activations, VIP hospitality programs in addition to factory fan engagement that flyaway rounds simply cannot mirror.
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