In Pixar’s Cars 2, what global racing series does Lightning McQueen join?

In Pixar’s Cars 2, Lightning McQueen joins the World Grand Prix.

The World Grand Prix is a fictional international racing competition organized by Sir Miles Axlerod. It is designed to promote Allinol, an alternative fuel, and consists of races in several famous locations around the world.

Lightning enters after being challenged by Italian racer Francesco Bernoulli. The series takes him to Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London, giving Cars 2 a broader international setting than the first film’s primarily American locations.

The races are connected to the film’s spy plot. Mater becomes involved with British agents Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell, while a group of cars plans attacks intended to discredit Allinol. The World Grand Prix therefore serves both as a sporting event and as the central stage for the film’s action.