Fuji to move WEC date (Update)

Toyota will move Fuji date for Alonso

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. The World Endurance Championship has accepted a request by the Fuji Circuit to move the event to a new date in order to avoid a clash with the United States Grand Prix, allowing Fernando Alonso to contest the race.

Two-time Formula 1 champion Alonso will contest the upcoming WEC 'Super Season' with Toyota alongside his F1 commitments with McLaren. However a date clash between the Six Hours of Fuji and the US GP meant he would miss round four of the WEC season.

Fuji, which is owned by Toyota, put in a request to relocate the race to October 12-14 – a week earlier than originally scheduled – to avoid such a clash and that has been accepted by series organizers.

However the change now means Fuji will clash with IMSA's Petit Le Mans, a decision which will likely anger several drivers who had planned to race at both, including Mike Conway, Harry Tincknell, Olivier Pla, Bruno Senna and Renger van der Zande among others.

02/01/18 The WEC is desperate for TV ratings and crowd attendance, Fernando Alonso brings both. So when it was announced Fernando Alonso would run the entire F1 and WEC (with Toyota Gazoo Racing) schedules, the FIA was elated. However, there was one conflict – the FIA WEC race date for Fuji Japan conflicted with the USGP at Austin.

However, it was rumored yesterday that the Japanese circuit may move their race date so that the clash is avoided and Alonso can race in all five WEC races this year.

Since Toyota owns Fuji and pays for the 6-hour endurance race to be held there, they hold a lot of power in deciding which date the race shall take place on. If they want their new star at their home race, the likelihood is that the race date will be moved.