Loose manhole covers frustrate F1 test: problems in WEC even worse

Formula 1's test days have been frustrated by loosened manhole covers, which have completely thrown schedules into disarray for two days already. In the World Endurance Championship (WEC), concerns about testing are even greater. The scheduled Saturday and Sunday test days have even been postponed at the last minute.

Due to geopolitical problems in the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, it has not been possible to get all cargo to Qatar on time, where next weekend's test was supposed to take place. As a result, the FIA and WEC have decided to move the test days in their entirety to next Monday and Tuesday, as this will give the teams enough time to prepare for the tests.

As in Formula 1, the WEC test track will also be the setting for the season's opening race. Next Saturday, the 1812 kilometres in Losail is on the programme, where Toyota will be hunting for title progression. It promises to be an extremely exciting season, partly because of the increased number of hypercars taking part. BMW and Lamborghini, for example, have entered the championship.

Button and De Vries in WEC

Among the drivers, there have also been some eye-catchers. Jenson Button (former Formula 1 world champion) will make his full-time comeback as a driver at Jota. At Alpine, Mick Schumacher will be behind the wheel of one of the cars next year. Former F1 driver Nyck de Vries competes in the Toyota team. At AF Corse - with a Ferrari - Robert Kubica is also active as of now.