P1racenews AI automatic summary:
WEC Prologue could be postponed amid freight delays
The Losail International Circuit in Doha is set to hold the official pre-season test of 2024 on 24-25 February, just prior to the season opening on 2 March. There might be a delay in the test as some teams are waiting for their cars and equipment to arrive via sea route, with shipping containers facing up to 48 hours of delays in reaching Qatar due to disruptions in the Red Sea. The schedule for the Prologue event could be adjusted based on the evolving situation. Similar shipping delays had previously impacted the Dubai 24 Hours, causing the event to be rescheduled and coinciding with the Daytona 24 Hours. However, rescheduling the WEC Prologue in Qatar should be more manageable, as teams are expected to remain in the region for the season opener. The disruptions in the shipping route through the Red Sea, attributed to attacks on container shippers by the Houthi military organization, have had significant effects on global trade, affecting traffic flow through the Suez Canal, a vital waterway connecting the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
