For MotoGP promoter Dorna and his boss Carmelo Ezpeleta, the 2024 season has not yet been launched and it is already a failure. Indeed, it is not yet in this vintage that we will reach the Holy Grail of 22 Grands Prix per year, a goal that Carmelo Ezpeleta has pursued with tenacity for years. The Argentine Grand Prix, which was rumored to be canceled, will in fact not take place. It's official. And as Kazakhstan is expected to follow, there will undoubtedly be even fewer races this year than last year. What to worry about as an organizer... And as a driver and fan?
The International Motorcycling Federation (END) And Dorna officially announced the cancellation of the Argentine Grand Prix 2024 due to current circumstances in the South American country. These are marked by the budget cuts implemented by the new president, Javier Milei. The event promoter has communicated that it cannot currently guarantee the services necessary for the Grand Prix to take place in 2024 in accordance with MotoGP standards. But also that the deadline will not be replaced on the calendar for the 2024 season.
Originally planned for the weekend of April 6 and 7, the 2024 Argentine Grand Prix should have been held at the Autodromo Termas de Río Hondo. The decision to cancel the event will reduce the MotoGP calendar to 21 races for this season, with a three-week break between the second race, the Portuguese Grand Prix, and the next in Austin… This while waiting for news from Kazakhstan ...
The circuit Balaton Park in Hungary had been designated as a reserve track in the event of the cancellation of another event on the calendar. However, according to the statement, Hungary will not replace Argentina this year. The hope of seeing Termas de Río Hondo return to the calendar in 2025, in more stable economic and political conditions in Argentina, however, remains alive.
The specter of a season with 20 Grands Prix and 40 races hangs over a MotoGP dear to Dorna
The Argentine Grand Prix, which has taken place at Termas de Río Hondo since 2014, is one of the most successful events in terms of public attendance. Last year the event attracted a total of 186 spectators over three days, which equaled the record entry of 2022. However, this year the promoter did not obtain the subsidy from the Milei government, making carrying out the race financially unviable.
The FIM, the IRTA (International Association of Racing Teams) and the promoter Dorna hope to be able to return to Termas de Río Hondo in 2025, once the situation in Argentina has stabilized economically and politically. The next stop on the calendar after the opening round in Qatar will be the Portuguese Grand Prix, followed by the event in Austin.
MotoGP, the updated calendar:
- Qatar – March 8/10 – Lusail International Circuit
- Portugal – March 22/24 – Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
- Americas – April 12/14 – Circuit of the Americas, Texas
- Spain – April 26/28 – Jerez-Angel Nieto Circuit
- France – May 10/12 – Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans
- Catalonia – May 24/26 – Barcelona-Catalonia Circuit
- Italy – 31/05-2/06 – Mugello International Circuit
8 Kazakhstan – June 14/16 – Sokol International Racetrack
- Netherlands – June 28/30 – TT Circuit Assen
- Germany – July 5/7 – Sachsenring
- Great Britain – August 2/4 – Silverstone Circuit
- Austria – August 16/18 – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
- Aragon – 30/08-1/09 – MotorLand Aragon
- San Marino – September 6/8 – Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
- India – September 20/22 – Buddh International Circuit
- Indonesia – September 27/29 – Mandalika International Circuit
- Japan – October 4/6 – Mobility Resort Motegi
- Australia – October 18/20 – Phillip Island
- Thailand – October 25/27 – Chang International Circuit
- Malaysia – November 1/3 – Sepang International Circuit
- Valencia – November 15/17 – Ricardo Tormo Circuit
Reserve event: Hungary – Balaton Park Circuit
