In Pixar's Cars 2, which global racing series is introduced as the film's main competition?

In Pixar's Cars 2, the main international competition is the World Grand Prix.

The fictional series is created by oil magnate Miles Axlerod to promote Allinol, an alternative fuel. Lightning McQueen enters the three-race event, while Mater becomes involved in an espionage plot involving British agents Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell.

The races take place in Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London. This international structure gives Cars 2 a much broader setting than the first film, which concentrates largely on Radiator Springs and the American Southwest. It also blends the racing story with spy-film elements.

The World Grand Prix should not be confused with the Piston Cup. The Piston Cup is Lightning's domestic stock-car championship in the first film, whereas the World Grand Prix is a new international event in the sequel. Cars 2 was released in 2011 and directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis.