FIA wants to prevent Formula 1 and Le Mans clash in future

The tight schedule of the busy Formula One calendar could not prevent a Grand Prix weekend from clashing with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but if it's up to the FIA that's not going to happen in the future.

This year's endurance race coincides with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which also means that the duties of race director Eduardo Freitas clash. Because of his commitment to the WEC, the Portuguese man will be present at Le Mans and will miss the race in Baku.

Robert Reid, vice president for Sport at the FIA, says he would 'be very much in favor' of avoiding a date clash between the Le Mans 24 Hours and Formula One, especially in view of the iconic long-distance race's centenary next year.

He therefore sees 2023 as a good opportunity to ensure that the events do not overlap. "I think it's a matter of negotiation," says Reid in conversation with Sportscar365.com.

The challenge, according to Reid, lies in the fact that the FIA has no autonomy over calendars. Like Formula 1, the WEC submits its own proposal for a calendar, after which it is up to the FIA to accept it or not.