2015 FIA WEC Calendar unveiled

10.10.14
The 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar was unveiled today at Fuji International Speedway by CEO Gerard Neveu, in the presence of Pierre Fillon, President of l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, President of the FIA Endurance Commission and Henri Pescarolo, Grand Marshal of the 6 Hours of Fuji.

• Eight races on four continents. Same number of races as 2012 – 2014.
• 6 Hours of the Nürburgring is the new race on the calendar.
• Renovation work means race in São Paulo not included in 2015 but could be back in 2016
• Montreal is still under discussion for an entry in 2017.

The 2015 schedule is a continuation of the previous three seasons, with eight races once again filling the line up of 6 Hour and 24 Hour events, including a new event at the Nürburgring in Germany at the end of August.

The 2015 season will start on the 27/28 March with The Prologue at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France for the official test and is the traditional first chance for the media and fans to see the new cars all in one place, including the new LMP1 manufacturer entry from Nissan alongside the hybrid prototypes from Audi, Porsche and Toyota.

As in the previous two years, the opening race of the year will be at Silverstone, where the teams will compete for the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy at the season opener.  The 2015 WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will be the fourth time the Belgium round has taken place at the start of May for the customary last race before the ‘Big One’, the 24 Heures du Mans in June.

The 6 Hours of Nürburgring is the new race in 2015 and means that German teams Audi and Porsche will race at home for the first time in the history of the World Endurance Championship. The 6 Hours of São Paulo is not being held due to the pit building renovation work which will not be completed in time for the August race date.

The 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas in September is the first of four races overseas, with the Lone Star Le Mans event being a joint race weekend with the Tudor United Sports Car Championship.

It will be followed by races in Fuji, Shanghai and the finale in Bahrain at the end of November.

“This calendar represents continuity and stability,” said Gerard Neveu.  “We are very excited about visiting the Nürburgring and holding the first FIA WEC race in Germany, which will be a good homecoming for Audi and Porsche. Nürburgring has a long history with endurance racing and this event will be a good opportunity to celebrate it with both a modern paddock with the FIA WEC, and a historic paddock with the 50th anniversary of the 1000 Kms of Nürburgring. With this new calendar we have reduced the summer break and it will provide around one race per month.”

“The eight race calendar means we are also building the tradition of 6-hour events in the countries we visit,” said Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO.  “To maintain all of the races at the same time of the season for at least three years is a very positive move.    The 2015 FIA WEC calendar will provide a great mix of entertainment and sporting action, with the highlight of the season coming in June with the 24 Heures du Mans, which remains the jewel in the endurance racing crown.  We look forward to seeing you in 2015.” 

 

2015 FIA World Endurance Championship Provisional Calendar**

27 / 28 March : Prologue Castellet

12 April : 6 Hours of Silverstone

02 May : 6 Hours of Spa

31 May : Tests Le Mans

13/14 June : 24h du Mans

30 August : 6 Hours of Nurburging

19 September : 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas ( Lone Star le Mans)

11 October : 6 Hours of Fuji

1 November: 6 Hours of Shanghai

21 November : 6 Hours of Bahrain