Interlagos WEC round axed, replaced by Austin
The Interlagos round of the FIA World Endurance Championship has been cancelled and replaced by a visit to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
WEC CEO Gerard Neveu revealed during last month's visit to Shanghai that the series' planned return to Brazil in February 2020 had been plunged into doubt owing to financial difficulties on the part of the promoter of the event, N/Duduch Motorsports.
Austin had been mooted as a possible replacement venue, and on Monday was confirmed as the new host of the fifth round of the 2019/20 season, forming a double-header of American races with the Sebring 1000 Miles in March.
The six-hour event will take place on February 23, two weeks later than the Interlagos race had been set to take place, in order to avoid a clash with the NFL Super Bowl.
A statement released by the WEC on Monday said that N/Duduch had been "unable to meet its contractual obligations" and that the series had "no other alternative than to find a replacement venue".
Neveu commented: “Firstly we must thank [COTA boss] Bobby Epstein and the Circuit of The Americas for accommodating us at relatively short notice.
"It is an excellent venue, and our fans, competitors and media are now assured of excellent racing in North America not once, but twice in two months.
“Of course, it is very unfortunate to find ourselves in this position. The WEC very much regrets this situation and feels very sad for the City of Sao Paulo and the many thousands of Brazilian motorsport fans.
"Our main concern was our competitors and partners, and we have worked very hard to find a solution which offered the least disruption possible.”
The WEC last visited in Austin in 2017 before it was dropped from the schedule as part of the reorganisation of the calendar for the 2018/19 superseason.
Kawasaki decides against factory Suzuka 8h team for 2023
Kawasaki decides against factory Suzuka 8h team for 2023 Kawasaki decides against factory Suzuka 8h team for 2023
Toyota's new liquid hydrogen racer completes Fuji 24 Hours
Toyota's new liquid hydrogen racer completes Fuji 24 Hours Toyota's new liquid hydrogen racer completes Fuji 24 Hours
How Toyota's brightest Super Formula hope got his groove back
How Toyota's brightest Super Formula hope got his groove back How Toyota's brightest Super Formula hope got his groove back
Newgarden happy that Indy 500 red flag led to a “good finish”
Newgarden happy that Indy 500 red flag led to a “good finish” Newgarden happy that Indy 500 red flag led to a “good finish”
The DTM rule that cost Porsche's Preining win at Oschersleben
The DTM rule that cost Porsche's Preining win at Oschersleben The DTM rule that cost Porsche's Preining win at Oschersleben
How Newgarden rose to be a thorn to Ericsson's double Indy 500 bid
How Newgarden rose to be a thorn to Ericsson's double Indy 500 bid How Newgarden rose to be a thorn to Ericsson's double Indy 500 bid
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?
Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans? Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?
How Ferrari’s threat is growing against Toyota approaching Le Mans
How Ferrari’s threat is growing against Toyota approaching Le Mans How Ferrari’s threat is growing against Toyota approaching Le Mans
Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures
Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures
The Le Mans winner with claims to be motorsport's best privateer
The Le Mans winner with claims to be motorsport's best privateer The Le Mans winner with claims to be motorsport's best privateer
The chasm Toyota’s WEC rivals must bridge before Le Mans
The chasm Toyota’s WEC rivals must bridge before Le Mans The chasm Toyota’s WEC rivals must bridge before Le Mans
Why the WEC should make space for modern garagistes in 2023
Why the WEC should make space for modern garagistes in 2023 Why the WEC should make space for modern garagistes in 2023
Motorsport.com writers' most memorable moments of 2022
Motorsport.com writers' most memorable moments of 2022 Motorsport.com writers' most memorable moments of 2022
Is Qatar the price motorsport fans have to pay?
Is Qatar the price motorsport fans have to pay? Is Qatar the price motorsport fans have to pay?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.