WEC Prologue postponed amid shipping snafu

The pre-season Prologue test ahead of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship season opener in Qatar has been postponed to next week following shipping delays.

The sea freight delay has affected several teams, including the majority of the LMGT3 field and the Cadillac Racing V-Series.R. The missing containers, which are currently en route to Qatar from Saudi Arabia, are expected to be delivered on Saturday morning.

As a result, the championship has opted to postpone the test, rescheduling it for Monday and Tuesday next week. The new provisional schedule features updated slots for scrutineering and the track walk on Sunday before the cars eventually hit the track on Monday.

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"The schedule change is a result of the ongoing geopolitical situation where regular shipping lines have experienced significant delays through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea," the championship explained in a statement.

"Consequently, part of the sea freight has been delayed arriving at the Lusail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar. To allow the WEC teams enough time to prepare for testing, the decision was made to delay the start of the Prologue.

"There will be no change to the schedule for the season-opening Qatar Airways Qatar 1812km the following weekend with the race set to begin at 11am local time on Saturday, March 2."

There will be nine hours of track time over three sessions on Monday, with a fourth and final four-hour session on Tuesday morning.

Track action at the Lusail International Circuit is then set to resume on Thursday afternoon after a rest day with Free Practice 1, ahead of Saturday's 1812km race.