Barcelona to host WEC Prologue in 2019

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host the FIA World Endurance Championship's pre-season 'Prologue' test running in 2019, taking place just over a month after the end of the previous season.

WEC traditionally stages its two-day Prologue at a circuit in Europe, with recent venues including Paul Ricard and Monza, but will head to Spain for the first time in 2019 to complete testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which traditionally hosts Formula 1's pre-season running.

The 2019 Prologue will be held on July 24-25 next year, which is exactly halfway between the end of the 2018-19 season, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, and the start of the new 2019-20 campaign at Silverstone on September 1.

The WEC also confirmed its annual 'rookie test' will return for '19-20 after one season away, giving up-and-coming sports car drivers and first timers an opportunity to complete test running.

This will be staged at the Bahrain International Circuit on December 15 2019, one day after the 8 Hours of Bahrain race.