Nürburgring Round Poised for Date Change to Prevent Formula E Clash

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship race at the Nürburgring is poised for a date change to prevent a clash with Formula E, according to WEC boss Gerard Neveu.

The Six Hours of Nürburgring and Formula E’s inaugural New York City event are both currently scheduled for July 14-16, which has caused a problem for no fewer than eight drivers who take part in both series.

Neveu and Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag have had a gentleman’s agreement to prevent date clashes between the two championships, but next year’s German WEC round was initially moved up one week to give space for Formula One’s anticipated return to the Nürburgring.

With the 2017 F1 calendar listing Hockenheim instead, as a to-be-confirmed event, it appears the WEC round can be moved back to its 2016 weekend, on July 21-23.

“We’re working every day on this. But it hasn’t been set,” Neveu told Sportscar365 during last weekend’s Six Hours of Fuji.

An event spokesperson told Sportscar365 the date of the Formula E race, to take place in a cruise ship terminal in Brooklyn, cannot be moved due to its location and ship docking schedules.

It’s expected that any change to the WEC schedule will not be made until the next FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in December.

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