Portimao Double Header to Replace Canceled Imola Round

The European Le Mans Series has added a second race at Portimao to replace its canceled round at Imola.

The 4 Hours of Imola, which was originally set for May 7, was abandoned after delayed construction works at the venue originally forced the event to be delayed.

The series has now confirmed that the event will not appear on this year’s calendar and will instead return next year.

Instead, a second race has been added at Portugal’s Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.

The season finale will now take part in an extended weekend on October 19-22, with the existing 4 Hours of Portimao followed by the 4 Hours of Algarve.

Sportscar365 understands that an early May date at Portimao had been proposed, but that a double header season finale was determined to be the most appropriate solution.

“It is disappointing to make this change to the 2023 European Le Mans Series calendar,” said Le Mans Endurance Management CEO Frederic Lequien.

“We tried everything to find a solution to have an event at Imola this season, but it just wasn’t possible with the various international calendars.

“I can confirm that the ELMS will definitely return to Imola in 2024.

“We finally found another solution and we are pleased to announce the first ever ELMS double header for the season finale in Portugal.

“I would like to thank the ELMS competitors, our partners, and the management at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve for their cooperation and flexibility in agreeing to this solution.

“It is certainly going to be an exciting way to finish the 2023 European Le Mans Series.”