The season opener of the 2020 FIA World Touring Car Cup has been switched to Circuit Zolder in Belgium, after the operator of the Salzburgring in Austria opted not to run the event.
The WTCR had already faced a heavily revised, Europe-only calendar for 2020, but now promoter Eurosport Events has had to change the venue for the season opener – albeit the date will still be the same on 12 – 13 September.
The first two events will therefore take place at Zolder, a venue which has a long and rich touring car history and last featured World Touring Cars in 2010 and 2011.
“Having to change venues less than three weeks before the start of the season was very unexpected,” explained Head of Eurosport Events François Ribeiro.
“The immediate priority was to present an alternative solution and we thank the FIA and President Jean Todt for approving the new season-opening plan at such short notice.
“While adjusting the schedule at short notice is not ideal, we have, from the outset, always strived to maintain the maximum number of events possible.
“This is to ensure the credibility of the sporting contest with the best interests of all our stakeholders at heart.
“The partnership with Circuit Zolder, which has a strong record of staging international motorsport events, provides this opportunity.
“Together with the FIA and the Circuit Zolder management, we are monitoring the situation regarding the spread of COVID-19 in Europe to help ensure the participation of all the WTCR teams coming from different European countries.”
The event is set to run behind closed doors and will be supported by the TCR Europe series, which had already confirmed that its second event of 2020 would take place at the circuit.