24h Le Mans
Owing to the ongoing pandemic, no fans will be in attendance at the first two rounds of the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship. For the 8 Hours of Portimão, 32 cars will take to the track.
The WEC and local organisers in the two countries have decided, in line with directives issued by public health and safety authorities, that the 8 Hours of Portimão and the Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will be held behind closed doors. The ACO and the FIA also ratified the decision.
As always, protecting the health of competitors, partners and spectators is the WEC’s number one priority. Fans will, of course, be able to follow the race from the safety of their home environment and a limited number of journalists will be admitted to cover the events.
Frédéric Lequien, FIA WEC General Manager: Given the ongoing concerns relating to Covid-19 and in keeping with local guidelines in Portugal and Belgium, we have decided to hold the first two races of the season behind closed doors. Unfortunately, there are still too many public health and safety issues. We wish to thank everyone for their unwavering support and shall do our utmost to beam as much sportscar action as possible to fans’ homes through our broadcasting partners, the official FIA WEC app and social media.
Portimão will host preseason testing – the Prologue – on 30-31 March and the opening race of WEC Season Nine a few days later (2-4 April). The Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will take place in Belgium from 29 April to 1 May.
The provisional entry list for the 8 Hours of Portimão has been published. Thirty-two cars will be on the grid for the opening round: three in Hypercar, 11 in LMP2, five in LMGTE Pro and 13 in LMGTE Am.
In the new Hypercar class, the two Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010-Hybrids will run their first race. They will take on the #36 Alpine A480-Gibson entered by Alpine Elf Matmut. The LMP2 field will comprise ten Oreca 07-Gibsons and one Ligier JSP217-Gibson. The LMGTE Pro class will be a three-way battle between Ferrari, Corvette and Porsche. The same marques will also contend the LMGTE Am class along with three Aston Martin Vantage AMRs.
Check out the provisional entry list for the 8 Hours of Portimão.
