COTA replaces Interlagos on 2019/20 schedule

The World Endurance Championship will not race at the Interlagos Circuit next year, it has been confirmed.

Interlagos failed to meet contractual obligations, meaning the FIA had no choice but to find a replacement venue. It was stated that the issue was direct with the local promoter rather than the city of Sao Paulo. 

Therefore, the Circuit of the Americas will replace Interlagos on the calendar and will host the fifth round of the season on February 23rd. 

The race will be six hours long, as was the plan for the event in Sao Paulo. 

Gérard Neveu, CEO of the FIA World Endurance Championship, stated: “Firstly we must thank Bobby Epstein and the Circuit of The Americas for accommodating us at relatively short notice.

"It is an excellent venue, and our fans, competitors and media are now assured of excellent racing in North America not once, but twice in two months.

“Of course, it is very unfortunate to find ourselves in this position.  The WEC very much regrets this situation and feels very sad for the City of Sao Paulo and the many thousands of Brazilian motorsport fans.

"Our main concern was our competitors and partners, and we have worked very hard to find a solution which offered the least disruption possible.” 

The race state still has to be confirmed by the World Motor Sport Council. It has been set in order to avoid clashes with Super Bowl LIV, and the Formula E round in Mexico.