What fictional international race is held in Pixar's Cars 2?

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

The competition is organized by Sir Miles Axlerod and takes place in three major locations: Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London. Its purpose is to promote Allinol, a new alternative fuel, although the race is also the setting for a covert plot involving spies and sabotage.

Lightning McQueen enters the event as a racing star, while Mater becomes involved in the espionage story after being mistaken for an American agent. The film broadens the Cars universe beyond Radiator Springs and American stock-car racing.

Cars 2 was directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis. Unlike the first and third films, which center more directly on McQueen's racing career and personal growth, Cars 2 gives Mater the largest role and uses a spy-film structure inspired by international adventure movies.