Le Mans 24-hour race postponed from June to September due to coronavirus

The Le Mans 24-hour endurance race, one of the traditional highlights of the motor racing calendar, has been postponed from June to September 19-20 because of the coronavirus pandemic, organisers said Wednesday.

The organisers said they had taken the decision "as a consequence of the health situation linked to the coronavirus and the current restrictions in France and the world".

The start of the MotoGP and Formula 1 seasons have been delayed due to the global pandemic as motorsport federations heed the call by governments to limit contact between people. 

Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO: “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. 

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.”   

The 88th edition of @24hoursoflemans postponed to the 19/20th September 2020. Read full story??https://t.co/ui3cvGJpwd#WEC #LeMans24 pic.twitter.com/utwt5ICeqO