The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports regret to announce the cancellation of the Gran Premio Motul de la Republica Argentina, the OR Thailand Grand Prix and the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix in 2020. Previously postponed, the ongoing coronavirus epidemic and the resulting complications unfortunately force the cancellation of the events to be confirmed.
However, it can now be revealed that an additional Grand Prix is to be added to the 2020 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship calendar. After the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, another race weekend will take place from November 20-22 at a venue in Europe, becoming the finale of the 2020 season. Further information on the host venue will be confirmed on Monday August 10.
Additionally, a new agreement has been reached with the promoters of the Thai GP which confirms that the Chang International Circuit will remain on the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship calendar until at least 2026. The racing at Buriram has been incredible since the venue joined the calendar in 2018, with the one-of-a-kind final corner never failing to provide thrills. Although the event will unfortunately not take place in 2020, MotoGP™ can now look forward to several more years of spectacular battles at one of Asia's premier motorsport venues.
In addition, Dorna has already started working with the promoters of the Argentinian and Malaysian GPs to define possible dates to propose to the FIM for the 2021 events, with plans in place to welcome fans respectively back to the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo and Sepang international circuit.
Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo first joined the MotoGP™ calendar in 2014 and has staged a dynamic Grand Prix every year since. The stands are always packed as fans come from all over Latin America, with the Argentinians joined by crowds from Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and other countries.
The Sepang International Circuit is the oldest of the three and first hosted MotoGP™ in 1999. A true world leader then as now, the circuit is one of the longest and most difficult in the world. season, with races that have sometimes become classics. Sepang also offers a unique experience for fans seated in the iconic grandstand complex along the main straight and into the final corner, putting spectators in the heart of the action, surrounded by the sound of MotoGP™ at full blast.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, Managing Director of Dorna Sports, said: “ It is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of the Grands Prix of Argentina, Thailand and Malaysia this season, and we will greatly miss them on the 2020 calendar. The passion of the fans who often travel across continents to enjoying MotoGP with us at Termas de Rio Hondo, Buriram and Sepang, is incredible, creating an incredible atmosphere and welcome for the sport. However, we are delighted to add another Grand Prix in Europe to the 2020 calendar, as well as revealing our new agreement which sees MotoGP taking place in Thailand and Buriram until at least 2026. We are very much looking forward to returning in Thailand, Argentina and Malaysia next year and, as always, I want to thank the fans for their patience and understanding »
Jorge Viegas, president of the FIM: “ I would like to thank Dorna, all the teams, national federations and local organizers for getting us back on track. In doing so, we are adapting every day and we will have a very complete and competitive FIM MotoGP World Championship in 2020. The venue for the 15th Grand Prix will be announced soon, and we will be back, stronger than ever. »
Paddock-GP translation
