World Endurance Championship (WEC) round at Silverstone (23-25 April 2027), marking the return of one of motorsport's most historic prizes to the pinnacle of international endurance racing.
Instituted by the Royal Automobile Club in 1905 – the driving force in pioneering British motoring and motorsport – the Tourist Trophy was created to promote reliability, efficiency and engineering excellence as much as outright speed, quickly establishing itself as one of the most coveted awards in world motorsport. The Club's specially commissioned trophy pays tribute to Giambologna's sculpture of the Greek god Hermes and is embellished in 18-carat gold.
Throughout its distinguished history, the Tourist Trophy has attracted many of the sport's greatest names. Among its most celebrated winners are Sir Stirling Moss, the record holder with seven victories, alongside Rudolf Caracciola, Tazio Nuvolari, Mike Hawthorn, Graham Hill, Denny Hulme, Derek Bell, Jochen Mass, Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish and recent 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours winner Mike Conway. The roll of honour also features legendary marques including Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. More than 120 years after its creation, the Tourist Trophy remains a powerful symbol of endurance, innovation and sporting excellence.
The inaugural Tourist Trophy race was held on the Isle of Man in 1905, where public roads provided a demanding 52-mile circuit beyond the restrictive speed limits then in force on the British mainland. The first event was won by John Napier driving an 18hp Arrol-Johnston.
As motor racing evolved, the event moved to Northern Ireland, where the challenging Ards and Dundrod circuits hosted many memorable contests. By the early 1960s, increasing vehicle performance rendered road circuits unsuitable, prompting a move to permanent venues including Goodwood, Oulton Park and ultimately Silverstone, where the Trophy became closely associated with international touring, sports car and endurance racing.
The 2027 race will offer the current cohort of drivers and manufacturers the chance to add their name to motorsport’s oldest and most illustrious rollcall.
"The Tourist Trophy occupies a unique place in the history of international motor racing,” said Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club. “Ever since 1905, it has recognised not only victory, but the engineering excellence, teamwork and endurance that define the very best of the sport. We are delighted that the Trophy will be awarded at Silverstone as the FIA World Endurance Championship makes a very welcome return to the United Kingdom. With the championship enjoying unprecedented global growth and attracting the world's leading manufacturers, there could be no more fitting stage on which to continue the Tourist Trophy's remarkable legacy."
The timing could hardly be better. The FIA World Endurance Championship is going from strength to strength, with record-breaking attendances, growing global audiences and an impressive grid featuring 14 manufacturers. Britain is also represented at the highest level of the championship by reigning FIA World Endurance Champion James Calado.
“We are thrilled that the winners of next season’s 6 Hours of Silverstone will be presented with the Tourist Trophy,” enthused Frédéric Lequien, CEO, FIA World Endurance Championship. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Royal Automobile Club for its generosity in offering such a prestigious prize, which has previously been awarded to some of the sport’s most elite performers. The qualities traditionally required to win the Tourist Trophy are the very same as those required to excel at the highest levels of endurance racing, so we have no doubt that whoever receives this coveted accolade on the podium at Silverstone next spring will be thoroughly deserving of it.”
Over time Silverstone has hosted more Tourist Trophy encounters than any other circuit. Its association stretches back to the start of the 1970s when the circuit first hosted the UK's rounds of the flourishing European Touring Car Championship. The Trophy was then welcomed back to Silverstone with the arrival of the FIA GT Championship in 2005 and thereafter for the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2013 through to 2019. The reappearance of WEC action therefore represents both a continuation of Silverstone's rich endurance racing heritage and an exciting new chapter for the championship in Britain.
"Silverstone has played a significant role in the history of the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy, and we are delighted to welcome both this iconic trophy and the FIA World Endurance Championship back to the circuit in 2027,” confirmed Stuart Pringle OBE, Chief Executive of Silverstone. “Endurance racing is enjoying a remarkable resurgence, with the world's leading manufacturers, drivers and teams competing at the highest level. The opportunity to add a name to the Tourist Trophy's extraordinary roll of honour will give competitors even greater incentive when they race at Silverstone next April. We look forward to welcoming fans from across the UK and around the world for what promises to be a truly special event.”
The return of the Tourist Trophy to Silverstone underlines the enduring relevance of one of motorsport's most historic awards. As endurance racing enjoys a new golden era, with fierce manufacturer competition and growing international interest, the presentation of the Royal Automobile Club's iconic Trophy will provide a fitting link between the sport's pioneering past and its exciting future, ensuring that a tradition established in 1905 continues to inspire competitors and fans alike.
In the meantime, another of the Club’s illustrious trophies – the gold-plated solid silver British Grand Prix Trophy – will be presented to winner of next month’s Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The Royal Automobile Club hosted Britain’s very first Grand Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and a century later the victor is presented annually with the Club’s highly prized trophy.
