In Pixar’s Cars 2, what international racing event drives the story?

In Pixar’s Cars 2, the World Grand Prix drives the main story.

The event is organized by Miles Axlerod to promote Allinol, a supposedly clean alternative fuel. Three races take place in major international locations: Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London. Lightning McQueen enters the competition, while Mater becomes entangled in a secret-agent mission connected to sabotage surrounding the event.

The World Grand Prix gives Cars 2 a broader setting than the first film. Cars moves mainly between Radiator Springs and the American race circuit, whereas Cars 2 uses international landmarks and a globe-spanning spy plot. The fictional competition also lets the filmmakers stage different racing surfaces and vehicle designs.

The name can be confused with the Piston Cup, which is the stock-car racing championship central to the first Cars. Lightning’s Piston Cup career remains part of his identity, but Cars 2 centers on the World Grand Prix and its fuel-related conspiracy.