Indianapolis on the WEC calendar from 2025?

On Friday June 9, in conjunction with the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the ACO/FIA tandem unveiled the 2024 WEC calendar. And instead of Sebring (Florida), the Circuit of the Americas in Austin (Texas) will be the American round, with an event scheduled for September 1.   However, while the WEC is used to signing contracts for three years or more, this is not the case this time. "It's a one-year contract" admitted ACO Chairman Pierre Fillon last June. Why one year? It would be linked to a possible arrival at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, currently owned by Roger Penske, who has been trying to convince LMEM for several months. Pierre Fillon, who replied "Joker" to a question about the discussions with the legendary American track.

"From our perspective and as a track promoter in Indianapolis, we are looking and seeing what's going on around the world from the standpoint" Roger Penske said. "I like entertainment on the track personally. That's why we're here. With the commitment of the manufacturers, it's not just five or six cars. I think we got 13 or 14 cars here, so you start to have a real grid..."

Asked if talks were still ongoing, The Captain replied: "'We had good discussions and we were hoping we could even run one this past year or coming up in 2024', but the dates didn't work. We would very much like to have a WEC race there. We’ll have an IMSA race there this year. It will be a shorter one, but we’ll have an IMSA race. Pierre (Fillon, ACO President. Ndlr) et Frédéric (Lequien, WEC general manager. Ndlr) came to Indianapolis after Sebring. They saw what we had. We were down the road, but because IMSA was already committed to their dates and TV.''

A double header, as in Sebring, was even envisaged, but this was too complex due to TV issues and competing partners. The American series will be going to the famous Brickyard on September 17 for a 2 hour 40 minute race. The event, dubbed Battle on the Bricks, will be extended next year to include the Michelin Endurance Cup.

"But we would very much like to to have a WEC race there" Roger concluded." We want to use that track for big and international events. And, again, this is what that WEC would bring to us."

But would it be a good deal for the WEC? Other tracks also want to organise a WEC race, including the Circuit of the Americas, which is determined to keep its event going.