Paris (AFP)

The 88th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, postponed from June to 19 and 20 September because of the coronavirus, "will take place according to an exceptionally compacted program" over 4 days, announced the organizer of the race, the Automobile Club de l 'Ouest (ACO), Thursday.

"Well aware of the economic impact of the current situation for the teams and in order to limit the mobilization of resources over a too long period for them, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest acted to reorganize the test schedule essential to the good preparation of all, as well as the qualifications, the new highlight of the Hyperpole, the warm up and the race, over 4 consecutive days (...) from Thursday to Sunday ", it is specified.

After the administrative and technical checks on Wednesday, at the circuit and not in town, the 62 cars registered "will take to the track on Thursday, with free practice, qualification, night driving, then Friday with other tests and the rest of the qualifications ". The race will start on Saturday at 2.30 p.m. (12.30 p.m. GMT) for an arrival at the same time on Sunday.

"For all the information relating to the reception of the public and the activities which will be offered to them, more details will be given on June 30," added the ACO.

Normally, the 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place over a week, with many events in the city center. Free practice and qualifying takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, before the race on Saturday and Sunday.

The program for the 88th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (in GMT time):

Wednesday September 16:

06h00-16h00: administrative and technical checks (at the circuit)

Thursday September 17:

08: 00-11: 00: free practice 1

12h00-15h00: free practice 2

3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m .: qualifications

18h00-22h00: free practice 3

Friday September 18:

08: 00-09: 00: free practice 4

9:30 am-10:00am: qualifications / hyperpole (allocates the first 6 places in each category on the starting grid)

Saturday September 19:

8:30 am-8:45 am: warm up

12:30 p.m .: departure

Sunday September 20:

12:30 p.m .: arrival

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