Revamped European Le Mans Series in World Series by Renault deal

Both championships unveiled their calendars on Saturday evening, with the ELMS releasing a five-round calendar for its first season under the control of Le Mans organiser the Automobile Club de l'Ouest.

Its season will open with an event supporting the World Endurance Championship at Silverstone, and it will pair up with the FFSA GT Tour at Imola before joining the World Series by Renault bill at Spielberg, Hungaroring and Paul Ricard.

Renault has revealed a nine-round calendar for its flagship Formula Renault 3.5 category. There are two changes from 2012, with Monza and Spielberg replacing Silverstone and the Nurburgring.

Jean-Pascal Dauce, director of motorsport at Renault Sport Technologies said: "The chance to host three ELMS race weekends is a big first for us.

"It's going to bring more variety to the line-up and a touch of enduro to our meetings, which always goes down well with the fans."

Gerard Neveau, CEO of new ELMS organiser Le Mans Endurance Management, added: "Since the ACO announced in August that we would be organising the 2013 ELMS we have been working hard to produce a calendar that would have a broad appeal for the teams and drivers.

"All of the events will be held with other high-profile series which will mean a great weekend for fans while we can share the costs for promotion, entertainment, TV production and other key items needed to run a successful race meeting."

All of the ELMS rounds will take place over two days, with practice on Friday followed by qualifying and a three-hour race on Saturdays.

The ACO also confirmed that teams will be able to earn entries for the Le Mans 24 Hours through the ELMS, and be allowed to take part in the test day ahead of next year's race.

ACO president Pierre Fillon said: "The ACO are totally involved in the organisation of this European championship, which is an important part of endurance racing worldwide.

"It is for the ACO to guarantee the best possible future for the series, considered to be one of the mainstays of our discipline, and this will be done by the organisation from next season through Le Mans Endurance Management.

"We are very pleased to announce this partnership with the World Series by Renault, which continues the long story of co-operation between the ACO and Renault.

"We are sure this will provide everyone taking part - teams, drivers and spectators, with a great atmosphere at each of these events."

Formula Renault 3.5 2013:

April 6-7        Monza, Italy (sharing with Superstars Series)
April 27-28      Aragon, Spain
May 25-26        Monaco (supporting Monaco Grand Prix)
June 1-2         Spa, Belgium
June 22-23       Moscow Raceway, Russia
July 20-21       Red Bull Ring, Austria
September 14-15  Hungaroring, Hungary
September 28-29  Paul Ricard, France
October 19-20    Barcelona, Spain

ELMS 2013:

April 12-13      Silverstone, GB (supporting WEC)
May 17-18        Imola, Italy (supporting FFSA GT Tour)
July 19-20       Red Bull Ring, Austria (supporting WSbR)
September 13-14  Hungaroring (supporting WSbR)
September 27-28  Paul Ricard (supporting WSbR)