China Poised for WEC Hypercar Breakthrough
The World Endurance Championship (WEC) could be on the cusp of a major expansion in China, with two prominent automotive groups, Chery and Lynk & Co (Geely), signalling serious interest in Hypercar competition. These prospective programmes may offer far more than just additional entries on the grid, potentially reshaping the sport’s commercial and technical landscape.
Chery has been the first to outline a comprehensive roadmap, revealed during the Asian Le Mans Series season opener at Sepang. The state-owned automaker, China’s fourth-largest by volume, intends to leverage its premium EXEED brand, established in 2017, to become the first Chinese manufacturer to contest an overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The plan unfolds in three phases:
| Stage | Objective |
|---|---|
| 1 | Launch a domestic endurance racing series to cultivate talent and technical expertise |
| 2 | Enter the Asian Le Mans Series to gain international experience |
| 3 | Establish a factory EXEED team for Hypercar competition at Le Mans |
A particularly striking component is Chery’s agreement with the ACO, signed on 13 December, which goes beyond branding. It includes the development of a Le Mans-certified circuit in Wuhu, Anhui Province, adjacent to Chery’s headquarters, intended as both a testing ground and a showcase for production models destined for the European market.
Meanwhile, Lynk & Co is undergoing a strategic realignment. Following its highly successful TCR World Tour programme, in which Cyan Racing claimed multiple drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles, Geely has announced that the Lynk & Co 03 will not receive a second evolution. Instead, Cyan Racing will campaign the Geely Preface from 2026.
Lynk & Co has since indicated via social media that it plans to expand into rally and endurance racing, signalling possible future involvement in GT3, prototype racing, or both. Notably, multiple TCR champion Yann Ehrlacher is preparing for prototype competition with an LMP2 entry in the Asian Le Mans Series, providing a clear development path toward Hypercar ambitions.
Should both Chinese programmes come to fruition, the impact on the WEC would be profound. Currently, the Hypercar grid features major global manufacturers, with China represented only indirectly through Tata Motors’ ownership of Jaguar Land Rover. Rapidly expanding Chinese automakers are now positioned to inject fresh investment, technology, and commercial clout into endurance racing.
Beyond pure competition, Chery’s infrastructure-heavy approach—circuit construction, talent development, and factory-backed Hypercar engineering—could exceed the scale of current Hypercar programmes. If realised, these efforts would signal a seismic shift in motorsport politics, investment, and the global profile of the WEC.
