Nürburgring becomes season opener on revised schedule
The Nürburgring Nordschleife will now open the 2021 World Touring Car Cup season after series organisers took the decision to amend the calendar for the upcoming campaign.
Ongoing issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic – which include travel restrictions and national lockdowns across Europe – have resulted in the opening two meetings of the season being postponed.
Hungary had been due to open the campaign but will now move back to a new date in August to conclude the European leg of the season, whilst the planned meeting at the Slovakiaring has been replaced by a round at Adria in Italy at the end of July.
Both of those meetings slot into what was due to be the mid-year break before the three Asian events that conclude the season.
The first of those meetings, at the Inje Speedium circuit in South Korea, has been put back a week to provide enough time for equipment to be shipped over from Europe.
“While the COVID-19 vaccination rollout continues to provide hope for all and vital protection to those most at risk, such as the elderly and the incredible frontline workers helping to fight this pandemic, it’s a complex process that takes time to fully implement,” WTCR director Xavier Gavory said.
“Combined with travel restrictions and other national constraints, and given the WTCR schedule for 2021 is restricted to eight events, delaying the season start to June is the most sensible step to take in order to safeguard the calendar and the WTCR stakeholders and, at the same time, respect the communities and countries hosting WTCR events.
“We thank the FIA and all our partners and promoters for supporting and accommodating these small but unavoidable changes to the calendar ahead of what promises to be another action packed and memorable WTCR season when the new FIA WTCR Female Title and redefined FIA WTCR Junior Title are being launched.”
2021 WTCR – Revised calendar
03-05 June – Nürburgring Nordschleife – Germany
26-27 June – Vila Real – Portugal
10-11 July – Motorland Aragon – Spain
31 July-1 August – Adria – Italy
21-22 August – Hungaroring – Hungary
16-17 October – Inje Speedium – South Korea
06-07 November – TBC – China
19-21 November – Circuito de Guia – Macau
