The winners of next season’s 6 Hours of Silverstone – round three of the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign on 23-25 April – will receive the prestigious Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy, marking the return of one of motorsport’s most historic prizes to the international pinnacle of the long-distance discipline.
The celebrated ‘Home of British Motorsport’ – a circuit with a rich endurance racing heritage – will rejoin the FIA WEC calendar next year for the first time in almost a decade, having previously welcomed the series on an annual basis from 2012 to 2019.
Its return coincides with a true golden age for endurance racing, with record-breaking on-site attendances and growing global audiences matched by unrivalled manufacturer participation, generating fierce competition. No fewer than 14 major automotive brands are currently represented across the grid in the headlining Hypercar category and production-based LMGT3 class, with both Ford and McLaren set to swell the championship’s flourishing top-tier in 2027.
That makes the 6 Hours of Silverstone an appropriate stage for the bestowal of the world’s oldest automobile race trophy, which pays tribute to Giambologna’s Italian Renaissance sculpture of the Greek god Hermes and is embellished in 18-carat gold.
Inaugurated by the Royal Automobile Club – the driving force behind British motoring and motorsport – the Tourist Trophy was conceived to promote reliability, efficiency and engineering excellence as much as outright speed, quickly establishing itself as one of the sport’s most sought-after prizes.
Throughout its distinguished history, the illustrious accolade has been presented to motor racing luminaries such as Sir Stirling Moss – the record-holder with seven victories – Rudolf Caracciola, Tazio Nuvolari, Mike Hawthorn, Graham Hill, Denny Hulme, Derek Bell, Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish and recent 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Mike Conway. The roll of honour similarly features legendary marques Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
The very first Tourist Trophy race was held on the Isle of Man in 1905, subsequently switching from public road-based events to permanent circuits including Goodwood and ultimately Silverstone, where it became closely connected with international touring car, sportscar and endurance racing.
Since the beginning of its association with the award in the early 1970s, the Northants venue has hosted more Tourist Trophy fixtures than any other track, including seven of the eight previous FIA WEC contests held in the UK.
More than 120 years after its creation, the Tourist Trophy remains a powerful symbol of endurance, innovation and sporting excellence. Its presentation to the winners of the 6 Hours of Silverstone next spring will provide a fitting link between the sport’s pioneering past and formidable future, as a tradition established all the way back at the turn of the 20th century continues to inspire competitors and fans in the present day.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO, FIA World Endurance Championship, said:
“We are thrilled that the winners of next season’s 6 Hours of Silverstone will be presented with the Tourist Trophy. 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.”
Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman, Royal Automobile Club, said:
“The Tourist Trophy occupies a unique place in the history of international motor racing. 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.”
Stuart Pringle OBE, Chief Executive, Silverstone, said:
“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. 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.”
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