The FIA World Touring Car Cup is set to return to Asia for the 2021 season, with the planned calendar featuring an expansion to eight events, with five taking place in Europe and three in Asia.
The 2020 WTCR was originally set to return to Asia for events in China, South Korea, Macau and Malaysia, but the global COVID-19 pandemic ultimately resulted in a Europe-only six-event schedule being staged.
Eurosport Events, the WTCR promoter, is hoping that global travel will be somewhat back to normality next year, and is hence planning to visit Asia with races in China, South Korea and Macau.
Also planned to return to the schedule is the street race in Vila Real, Portugal, whilst races staged in 2020 at the Hungaroring, Slovakiaring, Nürburgring Nordschleife and MotorLand Aragón will all return.
The Asian leg of the 2021 season is contingent on restrictions affecting worldwide travel and freight movement being eased.
Also dependent on local restrictions is the attendance of fans, although the promoter hopes that by waiting until May to get the season underway, the chances of spectators returning can be increased.
The other notable change is that all eight events will comprise just two races, rather than three, as part of cost-saving measures.
When WTCR was officially launched in 2018, it featured three-race weekends making a total of 30 races in a season. In 2020, all events except the first two at Zolder and the Nürburgring have been three-race weekends.
“Together, Eurosport Events and the FIA did a good job within these unprecedented times to deliver the WTCR 2020 season, ensuring continuity of the series and support to the teams,” said Head of Eurosport Events François Ribeiro.
“Still, 2021 will be another challenge where cost efficiency shall dictate most of our decisions to make sure everybody stays onboard, and that WTCR still offers a great racing environment and global promotion at an affordable budget for our teams.”
WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup 2021 calendar
WTCR Race of Hungary, Hungaroring: May 14-16
WTCR Race of Slovakia, Slovakia Ring: May 22-24
WTCR Race of Germany, Nürburgring Nordschleife: June 3-5
WTCR Race of Portugal, Vila Real: June 25-27
WTCR Race of Spain, MotorLand Aragón: July 9-11
WTCR Race of South Korea, Inje Speedium: October 8-10*
WTCR Race of China, Venue TBC: November 5-7
WTCR Race of Macau, Circuito da Guia: November 19-21
*Subject to event promoter agreement