Fuji requests WEC date change to avoid Fernando Alonso F1 clash
The date of the Fuji round of the 2018/19 World Endurance Championship superseason could be changed in order to allow new Toyota signing Fernando Alonso to race there
Autosport understands the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway has requested that the date of the race shifts from October 21 to October 14, so it does not clash with Formula 1's United States Grand Prix.
Moving that would ensure Alonso, who has signed up to race with Toyota for all the WEC rounds in 2018 that do not clash with his McLaren F1 commitments, could contest the Fuji event.
The round is currently the only one that clashes with a grand prix.
Shifting the Japanese round a week in the other direction would mean it clashed with the Mexican Grand Prix as well as the finale of the Super Formula championship and the Japanese World Touring Car Cup round at Suzuka.
WEC originally changed the date for the Fuji race when it issued a revised calendar last September in order to avoid a clash with the Petit Le Mans IMSA SportsCar Championship round.
Returning Fuji to the October 14 date would cause problems for the full-time WEC drivers that had planned to contest the Road Atlanta race.
A WEC spokesperson would not comment on a potential change when contacted by Autosport.
Any changes to the WEC calendar are subject to FIA approval.
Why Alonso already looks like a sportscar great
WEC set to increase number of accepted entries for 2018/19 superseason
10 things we learned from the 2023 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix
10 things we learned from the 2023 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix 10 things we learned from the 2023 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix
"I couldn’t see anything" - Why Oliveira lost Motegi MotoGP top-six finish
"I couldn’t see anything" - Why Oliveira lost Motegi MotoGP top-six finish "I couldn’t see anything" - Why Oliveira lost Motegi MotoGP top-six finish
How Cassidy emerged triumphant from "mayhem" in Portland FE slow-burner
How Cassidy emerged triumphant from "mayhem" in Portland FE slow-burner How Cassidy emerged triumphant from "mayhem" in Portland FE slow-burner
Alonso explains “throwing me to the lions” radio rant in F1 Japanese GP
Alonso explains “throwing me to the lions” radio rant in F1 Japanese GP Alonso explains “throwing me to the lions” radio rant in F1 Japanese GP
The Alonso/Schumacher F1 traits McLaren sees in Piastri
The Alonso/Schumacher F1 traits McLaren sees in Piastri The Alonso/Schumacher F1 traits McLaren sees in Piastri
The extreme dedication enabling F1’s elder statesmen to prolong elite status
The extreme dedication enabling F1’s elder statesmen to prolong elite status The extreme dedication enabling F1’s elder statesmen to prolong elite status
What's next for Andretti's F1 entry - and could it fall at the final hurdle?
What's next for Andretti's F1 entry - and could it fall at the final hurdle? What's next for Andretti's F1 entry - and could it fall at the final hurdle?
F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas
F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas
How Sargeant can save his Williams F1 seat
How Sargeant can save his Williams F1 seat How Sargeant can save his Williams F1 seat
Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’
Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’ Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’
How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward
How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward
The other Dutch racing ace enjoying a standout 2023
The other Dutch racing ace enjoying a standout 2023 The other Dutch racing ace enjoying a standout 2023
The former Hollywood limo manufacturer aiming to star in the WEC
The former Hollywood limo manufacturer aiming to star in the WEC The former Hollywood limo manufacturer aiming to star in the WEC
Alpine's new attempt to scale Le Mans heights
Alpine's new attempt to scale Le Mans heights Alpine's new attempt to scale Le Mans heights
How Ferrari scored a historic victory at Le Mans
How Ferrari scored a historic victory at Le Mans How Ferrari scored a historic victory at Le Mans
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
Subscribe and access Autosport.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.