FIA WEC: Spa kicks off WEC season, Portimão rescheduled to old 24h Le Mans date.

Text & Images: Rick Kiewiet

Following the postponement of the 24 hours of Le Mans, the FIA WEC season opener has switched from the 8hrs of Portimão to the 6hrs of Spa on the 1st of May. The Portuguese round has been rescheduled to the 'old' Le Mans date of 12-13 June. Spa now opens the season the 1st of May and will also host the Prologue on the Monday and Tuesday ahead of the race (26-27 April).

Travel restrictions for travellers from Portugal to the UK (10 day quarantine) and into Portugal from, among others, Slovenia (home to the ARC Bratislava team) led the FIA, ACO and WEC to this decision. It's already the second time this season the opening race was postponed, following the cancellation of the Sebring round earlier this year. The organizers now hope it is possible to allow spectators at the race in the Algarve, as it was previously announced that the weekend in April would've been behind closed doors. The 6hrs of Spa will definitely not host spectators.