MOTOGP ON HOLD
Italy lockdown set to extend MotoGP delay
Racing behind closed doors and competing right up to Christmas are two of the drastic measures being considered as MotoGP tries to counter coronavirus.
The series has been pitched into an ‘unprecedented crisis’ by the outbreak with potentially the worst disruption since the championship began in 1949. The 2020 season opened in Qatar on Sunday without a MotoGP race after Europe’s biggest outbreak in Italy barred Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso and dozens of MotoGP staff from flying to Doha. The postponement of the next round in Thailand along with the expected cancellation of April’s races in North and South America saw emergency summits in Doha between Dorna, FIM, IRTA (International Race Teams Association) and MSMA (Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association).
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta says a host of contingency measures are on the table to ensure the 19 remaining races go ahead with rumours emerging on Monday about a move to replace the scheduled Austin race on April 5 with one in Sepang, Malaysia. But the stark reality is nobody can say with any certainty when MotoGP will go ahead as more cases and deaths are recorded and restrictions on travel escalate. Ezpeleta said: “Everything is possible. Dorna is a company that makes races. Our aim, is to make the maximum number of races. There are a lot of possibilities and we are considering everything but the main aim of all parties is to maintain the championship. But we need to respect the laws of the country. If a law is in place, we can’t do anything. Until a law forbids us to race anywhere, we will continue. It will not be a normal championship and more changes will be made.”
Two options being considered are racing behind closed doors, as is the case with the forthcoming Bahrain F1 race, and rescheduling postponed races later in the year with Ezpeleta refusing to confirm Valencia’s November 15 date will remain the season showdown. Ezpeleta added: “I’ll not say that I’m optimistic but I can promise we will work hard to find whatever solution is required. Maybe we’ll race in countries where it’s hot at Christmas but our duty is to make races and we’ll make races.” The USA round at Austin also seems certain to be axed, with much of Italy now subjected to a strict quarantine until April 3, the day practice is due to commence. City of Austin spokeman Bryce Bencivago, said in a statement: “We’ll be evaluating each event case by case. At this point, no decision has been made on MotoGP. Over the coming days we’ll be working with organisers to decide what steps can be taken.”
GPs behind closed doors also under consideration
‘The aim is to maintain the championship’