After such a long wait, the announcement has just been made that the French GP will be organized this year by Claude Michy and PHA on the Bugatti circuit of the Automobile-Club de l'Ouest in Le Mans. For the moment, we do not yet know if spectators will have access to the circuit.
This is very good news for all French motorcycle racing fans, after confirmation has already been made for several European Grands Prix, mainly in Spain and Italy.
Here is the organizer's press release:
The Shark Helmets Grand Prix de France 2020 will be held on October 9, 10 and 11
Working for the continuation of motorcycling sports and having the most optimistic possible vision of the future are our daily watchwords.
Given the current situation, whether in France or in all the countries concerned by the MotoGP World Championship, and taking into account the decisions taken by Dorna and the FIM, the SHARK Helmets Grand Prix de France 2020 will take place on October 9, 10 and 11 but this event may be organized behind closed doors.
To date, the government rules in place do not allow us to envisage a friendly, festive event, with numerous activities and free movement of the public within the circuit.
If this is the case, we will completely understand the disappointment and frustration of French MotoGP fans and loyal spectators of the French Grand Prix but faced with this state of affairs and in this unpredictable context, the organization of the SHARK Helmets Grand Prix de France would have no other options than to simply cancel the 2020 edition or to prepare it behind closed doors, a choice which would therefore be retained.
But let's not exclude the hypothesis of considering the presence of an audience in the event that conditions evolve positively and if State services authorize gatherings without major constraints between now and October, as for other major sporting events (Tour de France, 24 Hours of Le Mans auto, Roland Garros, resumption of the French Football Championship, etc.) affected by the same constraints and positioned before the SHARK Helmets Grand Prix de France.
In any case, we would like to thank all those involved, spectators, partners, service providers, etc. for their understanding.
We also have a thought for all the victims of Covid 19 and their families. »
Claude MICHY,
Promoter of the SHARK Helmets French Grand Prix.
Ticketing: 2 possibilities for ticket holders:
Information can be found in detail on gpfrancemoto.com
In this context, ticket holders now have 2 options:
– Choice 1: keep their ticket which will be valid for the same service on the 2021 edition,
– Choice 2: request a refund.
The provisional calendar therefore becomes:
March 8: Doha / Qatar (without MotoGP)
July 19: Jerez 1
July 26: Jerez 2
August 9: Brno
August 16: Spielberg 1
August 23: Spielberg 2
September 13: Misano 1
September 20: Misano 2
September 27: Catalunya
October 11: Le Mans
October 18: Aragon 1
October 25: Aragón 2
November 8: Valencia 1
November 15: Valencia 2
Coming soon: Texas, Argentina, Thailand and Malaysia.
Dorna, for her part, presents the situation as follows:
As previously announced, the restart will take place in Jerez on July 19. The paddock will remain there for an additional weekend as part of the Red Bull GP of Andalusia. Then we head to the Monster Energy Grand Prix of the Czech Republic, which incidentally retains its original date. The Brno circuit, however, will only host one event. Subsequently, two races will be organized at the Red Bull Ring under the names myWorld Austrian Grand Prix and Styrian Grand Prix; which will give us three chained tests. Two weeks later, the Championship will then take you to Misano, for two more meetings: the Grands Prix of San Marino and Emilia-Romagna, which will be immediately followed by the Catalan stage on September 27.
Then we will set off again for three rounds: Le Mans, on October 11, for the SHARK Helmets Grand Prix of France, then Aragón for two events on October 18 and 25. For the pilots, just time to breathe; Valencia due to close this European tour with a double event scheduled seven days apart.
Following travel restrictions, MotoGP™ would finally travel to Austin, Termas de Río Hondo, Buriram and Sepang over this period straddling the end of November and December 13. The table to help you see more clearly.
Please note that all these dates, as well as the conditions under which they will be held, remain subject to the evolution of the pandemic and the approval of local authorities.
