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

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

Organized by Miles Axlerod, the event brings racers from several countries together for three major races. Lightning McQueen represents the United States, while Francesco Bernoulli represents Italy and Lewis Hamilton appears as a British racing car. The competition gives the sequel a global setting instead of keeping the action mainly around Radiator Springs.

The races take place in locations including Tokyo, Porto Corsa and London. Mater becomes involved in the spy plot during the tour, while Lightning focuses on proving himself against international competitors.

The World Grand Prix should not be confused with the Piston Cup, which is the domestic stock-car championship central to the first film. Cars 2 combines sports-racing imagery with espionage, so the race series functions both as a competition and as the public cover for Axlerod's scheme.