In Pixar's Cars 2, what event is held in three countries?

In Pixar's Cars 2, the World Grand Prix is the international racing event held in three countries.

The fictional competition is organized by Miles Axlerod to promote Allinol, a supposedly clean alternative fuel. Its races take place in Japan, Italy, and England, giving the sequel a globe-spanning structure that differs from the American road-trip setting of the first Cars.

Lightning McQueen enters the event after being challenged by Francesco Bernoulli, a fast Italian open-wheel racer. Mater travels with Lightning and becomes involved in an espionage story after being mistaken for an American secret agent. The racing plot and spy plot eventually converge.

The World Grand Prix is not the same competition as the Piston Cup. The Piston Cup is the domestic stock-car championship central to Lightning's career, while the World Grand Prix is an international showcase created specifically for Cars 2.