The series’ promoter, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, has stressed the importance of limiting the series’ expansion, at least temporarily, after it returns to eight traditional events in 2024, following a past reduction due to COVID .
“Today it is not in the plans to add a race due to the expenses – ACO president Pierre Fillon told Motorsport.com – The most important thing is to be careful about costs even if the WEC is growing”.
In the past, the WEC organization has made statements that suggested the series could return to the nine-race calendar it had in 2016 and 2017, and even grow to 10.
This scenario had been outlined by the head of the series, Frédéric Lequien, who had illustrated the roadmap for the return to eight races in 2022.
Fillon once again underlined the considerable interest of the circuits and promoters in hosting the championship: “We have many requests for races from the circuits and one is in Great Britain.”
The reference is clearly to Silverstone, which wants to bring the WEC back to England after having been a fixed stop on the calendar from 2012 until the 2019/20 “Super Season”.
The 2025 calendar is expected to be revealed next month, during the week of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, at the traditional ACO press conference.
The program is expected to be largely similar to this year’s, with the exception of the return to Monza after Imola hosted the Italian race this year, as major works are underway in Brianza in the pits and paddock.
#50 Ferrari AF Corse Ferrari 499P: Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, Nicklas Nielsen
Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images
This means Austin will host the US round again, despite Roger Penske’s interest in bringing the WEC to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Porsche Penske Motorsport boss said in March that he did not expect to realize this ambition next year due to scheduling difficulties.
However, maintaining the 8-race program has the support of the Manufacturers.
BMW M Motorsport head Andreas Roos told Motorsport.com: “We are at the beginning of a new era of sportscar racing and first we need to see if it works and becomes sustainable, then maybe we can think about another race. If you ask me now, I think the eight races are good and should be kept for next year.”
Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Porsche Motorsport, offered a similar view: “The first priority should be to increase marketing, visibility, fan base. Then, I think we can increase the number of races, but for At this moment we must be cautious.”
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