According to PTI, the MotoGP championship's India leg, originally scheduled for September, has been rescheduled for March 2025, as communicated by local race promoters on Tuesday.
Previous uncertainties surrounding the event stemmed from reports suggesting that the race promoters had outstanding dues with Dorna, the rights holders, following last year's inaugural race. However, after Tuesday's meeting of all stakeholders – Dorna, co-promoters Fairstreet Sports and the Uttar Pradesh government – it was decided unanimously that the round will be postponed to a date in March to be decided later.
Pushkar Nath Srivastava, CEO, Fairstreet Sports, clarified that the decision to postpone was not influenced by unpaid dues. “It was mutually decided to shift the race to March next year. We are looking at first or second week of March. All the stakeholders including Dorna agreed that the September weather is not conducive for the race and it is tough on the riders and marshals as experienced last year."
Srivastava dismissed the possibility of holding the race in November, citing concerns about consecutive races being too demanding for teams and riders. He expressed optimism about a larger turnout in March, attributing it to more favorable weather conditions.
“All payments were being made in between and whatever is left will be paid by next month. So that was not really a factor in shifting the race to next year. We also thought of doing it in November but that would have meant four back-to-back races which would have been tough on the teams and the riders,” said Srivastava.
The inaugural race at the Buddh International Circuit drew over 50,000 fans, though this only filled half of the facility. The shift to March is anticipated to attract even more spectators.
“We also expect more fans to turn up in March as the weather will be better,” said Srivastava.
With the ongoing MotoGP season starting in Doha on March 10, organizers have the flexibility to slot the India round in the subsequent week.
A seven-year agreement was inked ahead of the 2023 edition between Dorna and local promoters to host the race in India. The involvement of the Uttar Pradesh government as co-promoter, after sponsoring it last year, is a huge hope for the long-term existence of the event.
Marco Bezzecchi took the chequered flag in the 2023 MotoGP round in India, which has been the biggest motorsports event in the country since the last Formula 1 race was held there in 2013. Financial and taxation issues brought an early end to Formula 1 in India after three years.
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