Eurosport launches legal action over Salzburgring WTCR debacle

Eurosport Events has confirmed that it is launching legal action against the Salzburgring over the last-minute cancellation of its event, which has resulted in the WTCR season opener moving to Zolder in Belgium.

It was announced yesterday that the Salzburgring would no longer stage the first round of this year’s FIA World Touring Car Cup, with the venue instead switching to Circuit Zolder in Belgium on the same weekend of 12 – 13 September.

Head of Eurosport Events, François Ribeiro, explained the steps now being taken by the series promoter in order to protect its interests and reputation.

“We were finalising the operational preparations for the season opener with the Salzburgring management and were shocked by their unilateral decision, less than three weeks before the event, to decide to no longer host the event,” explained Ribeiro.

“It has created a number of significant logistical problems and caused serious inconvenience for our teams. This means financial and reputation damage.

“Eurosport’s legal department is consequently preparing legal proceedings at court in London against Salzburgring to protect the WTCR’s interests.”

Zolder has a long history of staging international touring car events, and with TCR Europe racing at the circuit on the same weekend already, moving WTCR to the Belgian circuit was the most practical decision to take at the last minute.

“Circuit Zolder is a valued and long-standing partner with a strong record of staging international motorsport events,” added Ribeiro.

“We’re set to be behind closed doors, of course, but we look forward to a successful weekend in Belgium at a track that’s very well suited to touring car racing and in a country with big interest in WTCR.

“Given we had almost no time available, the priority was to secure a replacement venue that met all our expectations and requirements on the specified date and was worthy of hosting the first event of the new season.

“After months of waiting we needed a venue that will ensure a strong start to the 2020 WTCR. Zolder definitely brings that.

“We thank the FIA and President Jean Todt for their approval at such short notice, the Circuit Zolder management for their assistance and all our stakeholders for their understanding.”

Ribeiro also confirmed that there had been sufficiently strong interest in the revised 2020 championship, despite uncertainties presented by the coronavirus situation.

“We’re keeping [the entry list] under wraps for just a little while longer as there are a few driver announcements due really soon.

“But we’re very pleased with the amount of interest in WTCR in these tough and unprecedented times.

“We won’t give all the details away just now, but the WTCR grid will feature 20 full-season drivers plus a few wildcards at all rounds.”