2020 Le Mans 24 Hours postponed until September

This year’s Le Mans 24 Hours has been pushed back until 19-20 September amid fresh French government guidelines on the coronavirus outbreak.

The ACO had previously confirmed it would not make a call on its blue ribband event until at least 15 April following shutdown orders from the French government covering the next 15 days.

But as coronavirus measures ramp up, the ACO along with backing from the FIA and WEC have confirmed the 88^th Le Mans 24 Hours will be postponed from its 13-14 June date to the 19-20 September.

It also signals an extension to the 2019-2020 WEC season which was set to conclude at Le Mans in June. Earlier this month the penultimate round, 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, was also postponed.

With the late September rescheduling for Le Mans it means the 2020-2021 season will also be delayed given its opening round was planned for 5 September 2020 with the 6 Hours of Silverstone.

“Postponing the 24 Hours of Le Mans from the original dates in June is now the most appropriate way forward in the current exceptional circumstances,” Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO, said.

“First and foremost, I urge everyone to avoid putting themselves, their loved ones and others at risk. The most important thing today is to curtail the spread of this virus. Our thoughts go out to medical staff working relentlessly for the sake of us all.

“The postponement of the 24 Hours of Le Mans means making changes to the WEC and ELMS calendars and we shall announce the new dates shortly. The safety and quality of our events will not be compromised.

“Competitors, sponsors, fans, media, medical services and organisers – it is time to pull together, more than ever before.”