Le Mans outlines 2021 schedule, return of test day

It was announced by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest in early March that, for the second year in a succession, Le Mans would not take place on its traditional mid-June weekend owing to the worsening coronavirus situation in Europe, with a new date of August 21-22 chosen.

Now it has revealed further details of the race week schedule for the 89th edition of the French classic, which has been condensed into just five days of track action.

The first of these is the test day on Sunday August 15, which makes a return after falling by the wayside last year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-event scrutineering will once again take place prior to the test at the circuit, and not in Le Mans city centre.

Practice will commence on Wednesday at 2pm local time, with qualifying taking place on Thursday. The 'Hyperpole' format, featuring the six fastest cars in each class, pioneered in 2020 will be used once again, with the half-hour session slated to begin at 9pm.

The race itself will begin at 4pm on Saturday before concluding at the same time on Sunday.

Among the support events planned for race week are two 'Road to Le Mans' races for LMP3 and GT3 machinery, a Porsche Sprint Challenge race, two 'Endurance Racing Legends' races and a five-hour 'Fun Cup' event aimed at amateurs, set to take place on Friday.

The ACO statement also revealed that the local roads that make up the bulk of the Circuit de la Sarthe will be closed continuously from Wednesday morning until Sunday evening after the race. In previous years, the roads were closed and reopened several times depending on the track action.

Further details regarding the schedule and spectator access will be released in May, it added.

Last week, the ACO revealed a list of four reserve entries for this year's race, featuring three GTE Am cars - two AF Corse Ferrari 488s and a Garage 59 Aston Martin Vantage - and a single LMP2 Oreca 07 for Algarve Pro Racing.