In Pixar's Cars 2, which international racing series is central to the story?

In Pixar's Cars 2, the World Grand Prix is the international racing series at the center of the story. The event brings Lightning McQueen and competitors from several countries together for a three-race competition.

The races take place in locations including Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London. Lightning enters after being invited by Italian Formula-style racer Francesco Bernoulli. The sporting event is paired with a spy adventure involving secret agents, an alternative fuel, and a plot that threatens the competitors.

Cars 2 expands the world beyond Radiator Springs and American stock-car racing. Its visual design draws on international cities, open-wheel racing, and classic espionage films. Mater becomes involved in the spy storyline after agents mistake his accidental observations for deliberate undercover work.

The film was directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis. It was released in 2011 as Pixar's twelfth feature film and was the first Cars sequel.