Silverstone used to be a key part of the World Endurance Championship, hosting multiple six-hour races and one four-hour race from 2012 to 2019.
The circuit in the UK hasn’t been on the calendar since and the WEC has since moved on, with three other European events on the schedule.
Nearly half of the championship is in Europe, with the showpiece event at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and six-hour races at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps.
Silverstone will return to endurance racing next season, hosting a round of the European Le Mans Series in September 2025.
Despite getting involved in endurance racing once more with ELMS, returning to the World Endurance Championship is unlikely. This is despite the event being a success from 2012 to 2019, and Toyota taking victory three times.
Stephen Kilbey explained when speaking on The Week in Sports Cars podcast that Silverstone is unlikely to return to the calendar despite hosting a race in the European Le Mans Series.
Silverstone’s ELMS deal isn’t connected to a future return to the WEC
Silverstone have been pushing for a return to the World Endurance Championship but it has been difficult as the series already features three rounds in Europe.
The British circuit would be an excellent addition to the calendar, but there is little room for Silverstone as Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps are stable.
WEC’s solution may need to add a ninth round of the championship to accommodate Silverstone hich may not be possible.
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Kilbey explained that WEC wants Silverstone to return, but there are issues to overcome before it can be a possibility.
He said: “It became pretty clear that while they’ve been fighting to get the championship back to Silverstone for a while, and it’s something that’s been on the agenda for many years, this isn’t being done because they wanted to trial holding race at Silverstone, so then immediately bring the WEC back in 2026.
“We should treat those two things separately. Clearly, WEC, there is an appetite for them to go back to Silverstone. They have talked about it.
“They’ve come close in the past since we were last there in 2019 about going back there. But this ELMS weekend that they’re holding there is not connected to a future deal for the WEC.”
Silverstone is facing competition to join the WEC calendar
Silverstone becoming part of the European Le Mans Series is a step in the right direction, as it slowly re-acclimatises to endurance racing.
Monza has been on the calendar for a long time but missed out in 2024 due to scheduled adjustments being made to the track and kerbs.
Other circuits, such as the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar and Interlagos in Brazil, joined the calendar this year and are potential candidates to stay for the next few years.