Silverstone will feature on the 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship schedule after all, following the release of a revised ‘Super Season’ schedule on Friday that also eliminates the date clash with Petit Le Mans.
The famed British circuit takes up the to-be-announced date, originally scheduled for February 2019, which has been moved to Aug. 18-19, 2018, as the first post-Le Mans round.
It will result in five races in the 2018 calendar year, but remaining with an eight-round total season.
The addition of Silverstone comes after failed talks with promoters in Mexico City, which have elected not to continue the Six Hours of Mexico for a third season, with a return to Interlagos also reportedly not materializing.
The Fuji Speedway race, originally scheduled for Oct. 14, meanwhile, has been moved back by one week to avoid a clash with the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season finale at Road Atlanta.
A number of competitors had voiced concern over the initial clash, which had compromised several drivers’ planned programs for IMSA’s four-race Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup.
The date for the Shanghai race has also been adjusted to provide the required time between the two Asian rounds, for shipping purposes.
The revised WEC schedule is expected to be approved at the next FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting on Sept. 21.
2018/19 WEC Schedule (Revised):
May 4-5 — Spa-Francorchamps
June 16-17 — 24 Hours of Le Mans
Aug. 18-19 — Silverstone
Oct. 20-21 — Fuji Speedway
Nov. 17-18 — Shanghai
March 15-16 – Twelve Hours of Sebring
May 3-4 – Spa-Francorchamps
June 15-16 – 24 Hours of Le Mans