As time passes, MotoGP's time to honor its calendar of 20 Grands Prix is shrinking. Already, there will only be 19, since Qatar has fallen by the wayside, except for Moto2 and Moto3. The official speech promises us a start of hostilities in Jerez in May, but no one in the paddock really believes it anymore. Paolo Ciabatti, sporting director of Ducati does not hide his doubts and instead sees the start of the campaign in June or even July. Spain, France and Italy would therefore be new collateral victims of the coronavirus...
What about the 2020 MotoGP season? The boss of his promoter Dorna who is Carmelo Ezpeleta struggles like hell to preserve it and he repeats over and over again that there will indeed be one. It should have started on March 8 in MotoGP, a time that seems very distant to us since the latest events dictated by the pandemic coronavirus. The Spaniard is holding on nonetheless and the latest updated calendar promises a return to the track at Jerez, May 3.
A deadline that still seems distant, but on the scale of Covid-19, it's already tomorrow. And that doesn't fool anyone. Doubt is certainly present on this level, a feeling that Paolo ciabatti clearly expresses: “ we tried to postpone some races and start the championship in Jerez, but as the pandemic in Europe develops, I think it is impossible to make predictions. I am carefully following all the statistical data: I think that the figures we have seen in our country will soon be visible in the rest of the continent, which exploits our experience, implements drastic decisions. Studying the numbers, I'm afraid it's impossible to think that the world championship will start before June or July. In China, very strict measures have been taken, in an authoritarian manner. They start to get better after two months while we are only starting here. »
But with a season that begins squarely in the second half, how can we keep the promise of making, at a minimum, 13 Grand Prix, as required by the END ? " It's a complex matter, we find ourselves examining solutions never imagined before " recognize Ciabatta. “ I believe Dorna has clear ideas on what is most appropriate to do, but it will all depend on when the championship can start, in which countries it will be possible to run, which countries will accept the entry of Europeans. All the contracts were concluded at very different times and in good faith, without being able to predict such a thing. It is clear that they will probably have to be discussed again ».
« Currently, the championship includes a three-week break in July: if conditions permit, a few GPs could be carried out during this period. The championship will be more compact, it will also be possible to race in December on certain circuits. I think there is the theoretical possibility of competing in 17/18 races, as was the case until a few years ago, trying to respect the commitments with television and sponsors. » However, he insists by way of conclusion on Moto.it : " but this is theory: no one can say when the situation will return to normal »
