Monza, Portimao Added in 2017 ELMS Schedule Shakeup

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

The European Le Mans Series will visit Monza and Portimao next year, as part of a shakeup in the 2017 schedule, which was released on Friday.

Both new events replace existing rounds on the calendar, maintaining a six-round schedule, which again will kick off at Silverstone in April with the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The new event at Monza, replacing Imola, will take place on May 4-6. Monza will also host the series’ official pre-season Prologue test, as is the case for the WEC as well.

Returning visits to the Red Bull Ring, Paul Ricard and Spa are confirmed, with Portimao replacing Estoril as the season finale at the end of October.

“Among the many well-known European motorsport venues, there are some which speak for themselves through their tradition and history,” ELMS boss Gerard Neveu said.

“As well as Silverstone and Spa we now have Monza which has a long history in endurance racing.

“We very much look forward to going there in 2017, just as we also look forward to creating new traditions and history at more modern venues such as Portimão in the sunny Algarve area where we will close the season.”

ACO President Pierre Fillon added: “The stability of maintaining six rounds, with races of four-hours in length, at well-established and prestigious tracks, can only increase the popularity of these events.”

2017 European Le Mans Series Schedule:

March 28-29 — Prologue (Monza)
April 14-15 — Silverstone
May 12-14 — Monza
July 21-23 — Red Bull Ring
Aug. 25-27 — Paul Ricard
Sept. 22-24 — Spa-Francorchamps
October 20-22 — Portimao

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John