The World Endurance Championship has changed the date of the 6 Hours of Fuji, moving the race forward to October 14 and paving the way for Toyota's Fernando Alonso to take part in the Japanese round.
The initial date clashed with the US Grand Prix in Austin and would have obviously forbid Alonso from travelling to Fuji as the Spaniard's McLaren commitment takes precedence over his Toyota deal.
Toyota likely lobbied WEC organisers to achieve a date change, aware of the strong commercial impact and visibility Alonso's presence would generate in Japan.
However, the new date now means the Fuji round will clash with the final round of America's IMSA series, the Petit Le Mans weekend at Road Atlanta.
Several WEC drivers are committed to run at the Petit Le Mans event. It's doubtful they'll be impressed with the organiser's decision to modify the calendar, and trade one clash for another, just to accommodate one team and its driver.
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