The situation – not just in MotoGP™ - is far from ideal. Both in a sporting and general context, no one really knows what’s around the corner. However, what we do know is Dorna Sports, the FIM, IRTA and everyone else involved are working tirelessly to try and get as many Grands Prix underway as possible in 2020.
That being said, health is of the utmost importance. Keeping the entire paddock and our incredible fans safe has led to some key decisions being made that affect the 2020 MotoGP™ season. Here’s the story so far:
Monday 1st June:
The announcement comes that the 2020 Japanese Grand Prix is cancelled.
Friday 29th May:
Both the British Grand Prix and Australian Grand Prix have been cancelled for 2020.
Wednesday 29th April:
The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports regret to announce the cancellation of the HJC Helmets Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, the Motul TT Assen and the Grand Prix of Finland. The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has obliged the cancellation of all three events.
Thursday 4th April:
The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports regret to announce the postponement of the SHARK Helmets Grand Prix de France, which was set to be held at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans from the 15th to the 17th of May.
Thursday 26th March:
The FIM and Dorna Sports confirm the Red Bull Gran Premio de España, scheduled for the 1st to the 3rd of May, has been postponed. The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup test and races at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto have also been postponed.
Wednesday 25th March:
British Talent Cup Rounds 2 and 3 at Oulton Park and Donington Park have been postponed and will be rescheduled for later in the year. This comes after Round 1 at Silverstone was also postponed.
Monday 11th March:
The Gran Premio Motul de la Republica Argentina is confirmed to have been postponed until 20th-22nd of November. This means the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana is pushed back again to the 27th-29th of November, which sees the Americas, Argentina and Valencia GPs become a triple-header.
Tuesday 10th March:
With Italy quarantined until the 3rd of April, effecting a lot of the MotoGP™ paddock, the decision is made to postpone the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas until November. The paddock was meant to compete at COTA between 3rd-5th of April, but we will now head to Austin on the 13th-15th November, with the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana being pushed back a week later to the 20th-22nd November.
Thursday 5th March:
Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta speaks before the QNB Grand Prix of Qatar Press Conference to reaffirm Dorna, the FIM, IRTA and everyone else is doing everything possible – and are as determined as ever – to have as many races possible in 2020.
Thursday 5th March:
It’s confirmed that the OR Thailand Grand Prix, originally Round 2 of the 2020 Championship, has been rescheduled for the 2nd-4th of October. This also means that the Gran Premio de Aragon has been moved forward a week to the 25th-27th of September.
Sunday 1st March:
Just a week before MotoGP™ were meant to kick off their 2020 season, Qatari authorities tightened their conditions for passengers from Italy and Japan entering the country as the coronavirus situation seriously worsens in those countries. Flights directly from Italy would be immediately quarantined for 14 days, which leads to the cancellation of the MotoGP™ race. However, with Moto2™ and Moto3™ testing at the Losail International Circuit, the Qatar GP goes ahead without the premier class as the intermediate and lower classes put on a phenomenal show under the lights.