WEC: the 1000 Miles of Sebring canceled

The coronavirus claims a new victim in the motorsport events. During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a ban on entry into the American territory for European nationals for thirty days, due to Covid-19.

This announcement immediately leads to the cancellation of the 1000 Miles of Sebring, the sixth round of the World Endurance Championship, which was to be held on Friday, March 20. Before this cancellation, the Italian LMP2 team Cetilar Racing had already announced they would skip the race.

“With the significant number of drivers, team members, and officials who are still in Europe and were supposed to travel to the United States in the coming days, it would not be possible and appropriate to race in their absence,” specified the WEC management in a statement.

The championship director, Gérard Neveu, also reacted. “This decision was not taken lightly. Our teams and officials give great importance to this event. But the WEC prioritizes the health of its teams, officials, and fans.” The WEC will now focus on repatriating the teams already on site back to Europe.

What about the future?

The next WEC race is scheduled for the Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium on April 26. Its continuation is in question. But it’s mainly the holding of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 13 and 14 that is on everyone’s mind. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the organizers, have already indicated they are seriously looking into the matter. They also announced earlier this week the postponement of the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race, originally scheduled for April, to September. The car race was already held in September, in 1968, due to demonstrations in France. But this year, it would also mean postponing the next WEC season, which is supposed to start in September.