Coronavirus postpones the opening race of WEC

just like last year, the opening race of WEC is once again canceled by the Covid-19 virus

Sebring entered the WEC calendar last year. The World Endurance Championship would organize a double-header together with the American IMSA on the same weekend as the Sebring 12 Hours. Last March, the WEC race, the Sebring 1000 Mile, was one of the first international races to be canceled due to the outbreak of the corona virus. The second attempt on March 19 will now also be canceled. In the state of Florida, the virus is rampant and the situation is much more serious than ten months ago.

However, a decision had to be made now before all cargo leaves from Rotterdam to Florida. The FIA ​​WEC has already found an alternative. The opening round of the 2021 season will move to Portimao, Portugal, where the season will start on April 4 with a race over eight hours. Due to the rapid evolution of the coronavirus and the ever-changing regulations of the various governments, the WEC did not want to take unnecessary risks we can read from a statement. With the freight due to be shipped soon, we had to make an early decision together with Sebring and the FIA.

There will also be an official test in Portimao on March 30 and 31, giving the teams the chance to prepare for the season and finish their first race that same week. The rest of the calendar will remain unchanged for the time being with the Spa-Francorchamps 6 Hours WEC in early May and the Le Mans 24 Hours reverting to its traditional mid-June date.