The FIA GT1 World Championship is for 2-door GT machines officially recognized by the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile). It joins the ranks of the three other FIA world championships including F1, the WRC (World Rally Championship) and the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship). Each round of the FIA GT1 World Championship features 2 drivers sharing the same car in two 1-hour races, with driver switches during each race.

The roots of the FIA GT can be traced back to the BPR GT Global Series started in Europe in 1994. Born in 1997, the FIA GT Championship saw an enthusiastic response as many car manufacturers entered the fray, with races held even in Japan in the '97 and '98 seasons. 2005 saw further classification into the GT1 and GT2 categories. It was then decided that going forward from 2010, the GT1 class would be for a world championship title, while the GT2 class was established as a European championship. The GT1 World Championship would welcome 6 manufacturers and 12 teams for a total of 24 cars obligated to participate for the entire season.

Those entries featured in the 2010 GT1 World Championship are Maserati (MC12), Aston Martin (DBR9), Corvette (C6.R), Ford (GT), Lamborghini (Murciélago) and Nissan (Nissan GT-R), with these manufacturers supplying the 12 teams and 24 automobiles that will participate. Starting on April 17th at the Yas Marina Circuit (UAE), the battle will be waged over 10 races held across Europe, Africa and South America. According to the 2010 calendar, there will not be any races held in Asia. The official participation of the Nissan GT-R starting in 2010 follows its test races in 2009.