MotoGP Ezpeleta: "at the moment we are planning to organize at least 18 Grands Prix"

The 2021 season is launched and this is already a plus compared to the previous one, which had to wait until July to appear, after months spent in fear of an outright cancellation. But promoter Dorna did his job and saved his paddock. An adaptation that is still relevant because the health crisis continues. In Portugal, Carmelo Ezpeleta took stock of the calendar which remains subject to the imperatives of the still stubborn Covid-19. The Spaniard shows himself determined to fight on the crest of the 18 Grands Prix to live…

The 2020 season was content with 14 races and that of 2021 is wanted with four more. All while the health crisis is still relevant. A situation that requires constant vigilance and ability to adapt. Carmelo Ezpeleta explains the situation as follows: we are now back in Portimão, where we finished the 2020 season about five months ago. At the time, we thought we had survived the worst. But little has changed in the situation following the pandemic ».

We must therefore face and Dorna assume well. His paddock is protected by a proven health protocol while he was offered the opportunity to be vaccinate au Qatar. An organization which gives hope for the possibility of holding meetings overseas. They can take place in October and November. “ We are talking about Malaysia and Thailand, in principle everything is fine there at the moment. As for Japan, they are still planning to host the Tokyo Olympics ", said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna. " In any case, we intend to organize the Japanese Grand Prix. Basically we currently assume that we can shop abroad if the health situation does not change ».

Ezpeleta has his plan B: the two Grands Prix in the same place

Otherwise ? To stay the course, you will have to go through the double impact tests again. Spielberg, Misano, Aragón and Valencia come into play. A second Portuguese Grand Prix in the fall could also be considered. “ Double events are possible ", admits Carmelo Ezpeleta. " We can't rule anything out at the moment. Overseas events at the end of the year have not yet been definitively confirmed. We will have clarification by July. If certain races are canceled, we will think about double Grands Prix ».

Races in Europe are all safe, including Mugello, Assen, Sachsenring and Silverstone, where there was no competition in 2020. " The most important thing is that we can organize everything in Europe »Says Ezpeleta which also comes back to the question of closed doors. “ When the authorities allow us to sell a certain number of tickets to spectators this summer, we will be over the moon. Because without an audience, we suffer heavy financial losses. But we must accept it. The main thing is that we can run the races. Hopefully, as vaccination campaigns progress in Europe, spectators will be possible again ».

« For the moment, we are optimistic that we will be able to organize at least 18 Grands Prix ", ended Carmelo Ezpeleta on speedweek.