What competition is the central international race in Pixar's Cars 2?

The World Grand Prix is the central international race in Pixar's Cars 2.

Sir Miles Axlerod creates the event to promote Allinol, an alternative fuel that he claims can power race cars safely. The competition takes Lightning McQueen to three major venues: Porto Corsa in Italy, Tokyo in Japan, and London in the United Kingdom.

The race provides the public storyline while Mater becomes involved in a secret investigation. Lightning's participation also brings him into conflict with Francesco Bernoulli, an Italian Formula-style racer who becomes his principal rival.

The World Grand Prix is fictional and should not be confused with the Piston Cup, the domestic racing championship featured in the first Cars. Cars 2 expands the franchise from American stock-car culture into an international spy-adventure setting.