The India leg of MotoGP, scheduled for September 20-22, has been cancelled this year. However, the event is expected to be included in the next season, with the race rescheduled for March 2025 to avoid the harsh summer conditions.
The inaugural Indian Grand Prix, held at Greater Noida’s Buddh International Circuit in September 2023, was shortened by three laps due to riders’ complaints about the heat and humidity. Many race marshals fainted in the extreme heat, and Spain’s current championship leader, Jorge Martin, caused last-lap drama by unzipping his suit due to dehydration.
Pushkar Nath Srivastava, COO of promoters Fairstreet Sports, stated on Tuesday that the decision to cancel the September race was made jointly by Dorna (MotoGP’s commercial rights holder), the Uttar Pradesh government, and the promoters.
The decision, made on Monday, anticipates the MotoGP race returning to India in March next year, when the weather will be cooler in Delhi NCR.
There were discussions about pushing this season’s race to November and returning to India in March, but it was deemed unfeasible to hold two races within four months.
The provisional calendar for 2025 will be released in June-July.
The Indian GP was previously in the news due to reports of a delay by the promoters in fulfilling the financial obligations for the 2023 race. The Uttar Pradesh government recently intervened, with its investment wing, Invest UP, becoming a partner.
Srivastava clarified, “The rights fee has been fully sorted. Change of dates and fees are not connected at all.”
The current season, originally set to have 22 races starting in Qatar on March 10 and ending in Valencia on November 17, has been shortened by two races. The Argentina leg has also been cancelled, and the Kazakhstan race has been postponed. India was supposed to be the 14th round.
Fairstreet Sports and Dorna have a seven-year contract for the India race. Last year, only 58,000 spectators attended the main race, which is half the capacity of the BIC.
