Le Mans wants FIA to stop F1 race clashes

The organiser of Le Mans is confident next year’s edition of the fabled 24 hour sports car race will not clash with formula one.

Nico Hulkenberg, who drives full-time for Force India, is unable to defend his 2015 Le Mans crown next month because the race clashes with the first grand prix in Azerbaijan.

Some have suggested the clash was engineered by Bernie Ecclestone to stop drivers like Hulkenberg from combining programmes, but FIA president Jean Todt explained: "Organising the calendar is a very tricky job.

"You have 21 races in formula one, 10 races in Formula E, 10 races in world endurance and 14 rallies. To make a calendar without any conflict is not possible."

But Pierre Fillon, the president of the Le Mans-organising Automobile Club de l’Ouest, told NBC: "It’s a shame for fans, it’s a shame for formula one drivers."

When asked if the FIA should move to stop similar clashes in the future, he added: "Yes. For sure.

"I’m sure next year, they will find a solution to avoid this clash."