103 Drivers, Buemi’s Record, and Habsburg Quote Shape Spa‑Francorchamps WEC Preview

*TL;DR: 103 drivers in 35 cars will contest the Spa‑Francorchamps round, while Sebastien Buemi remains the outright WEC win leader with 27 victories; Ferdinand Habsburg notes his family's legacy but a different lifestyle.

The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) arrives at Belgium’s Spa‑Francorchamps circuit for its second round of the 2026 season. A total of 103 drivers will line up in 35 entries, creating one of the deepest grids in modern motorsport. The field blends former Formula 1, IndyCar and rally talent, underscoring the series’ reputation as a crossroads for elite racers.

Sebastien Buemi heads the statistical leaderboard. The former Toro Rosso driver has amassed 27 overall WEC wins, the most in series history, and shares the record for four drivers’ championships. His success illustrates how a driver can transition from a brief F1 stint to sustained dominance in endurance racing.

Among the notable entrants, former F1 rookie Logan Sargeant returns to Europe in a Ford Mustang GT3 for Proton Competition after losing his Williams seat. Robert Kubica, who overcame a life‑changing rally crash, now pilots a Ferrari 499P for AF Corse and added a Le Mans LMP2 win to his résumé. Kevin Magnussen, another ex‑F1 regular, joins BMW’s new Hypercar effort, while Andre Lotterer brings a record of three Le Mans victories to Genesis, Hyundai’s Hypercar brand.

Ferdinand Habsburg, racing for the Alpine Elf Team, offered a personal perspective: “I’m proud of my family but I get to live a different life.” His comment highlights the diverse motivations that draw drivers to endurance racing, beyond family heritage or single‑seater ambitions.

The sheer size of the grid amplifies strategic complexity. Teams must manage driver stints, fuel, and tire wear over six hours, while balancing the performance gap between Hypercars and the GT3 class. Buemi’s record suggests that experience and consistency remain decisive factors, especially on Spa’s high‑speed straights and variable weather.

What to watch next: how the mix of veteran endurance specialists and former F1 talent navigates Spa’s demanding layout, and whether Buemi can extend his win tally as the championship intensifies.