At the end of the season, the MotoGP paddock has spread to the four corners of the world. But, as usual, that obviously doesn't stop him from buzzing with rumors, some of which come back to our ears...
We hide most of them, either because of a confidentiality clause, or for lack of elements allowing us to think that they are something other than rumors, but it also happens that several diffuse elements overlap and, at that moment Here we share it with you. This is the case today…
A newcomer to the MotoGP world championship, the Portimão circuit, officially called the Algarve Autodrome, was unanimously appreciated by riders and viewers. Its route with steep drops and numerous blind turns makes it as technical as it is spectacular.
Unfortunately for those who hope for its definitive integration into the championship, it only appears for the moment as a substitute circuit, in case, like this year, one of the traditional meetings of the modern continental circus cannot host its Grand Prix .
But all hope is not lost, far from it, even very far from it given what is currently happening behind the scenes...
Officially, the 2021 calendar has 20 races lined up in the usual order, Qatar, Argentina, USA, Jerez, Le Mans, etc.
This first data indicates two things: on the one hand Dorna honors the contracts which bind the Spanish company to the Grand Prix organizers by offering them the possibility of organizing their event despite the health crisis, on the other hand that they are ready to organize their event without an audience, if necessary, even if it means receiving financial compensation.
On paper, everything is clear, but in practice certain tests are largely open to doubt, if only because of the position of the governments concerned: It is not because a private company, however illustrious it may be, intends set up a Grand Prix with an organizer that the government on which the latter depends will change its border policy put in place to limit the pandemic.
According to several of our sources, the Grand Prix of the Americas would be the most threatened in this respect and, consequently, that of Argentina as well, the transatlantic transport of the tons of material necessary for a Grand Prix no longer being financially viable for a single test.
It would therefore seem that, to cover any eventuality, we are already working on an alternative solution based on two Grands Prix in Qatar and… A Grand Prix in Portimão in April!
The rantings of a scribbler in need of news? Let's listen to what he said Jorge Viegas, president of the FIM, to the Portuguese press agency Lusa.
“Portimão has a pre-agreement to be a reserve event until 2022. From this year there is a pre-agreement to enter the calendar. In 2020 it has already entered as a reserve event. In 2021, if restrictions are repeated due to the pandemic, Portimão will return to the calendar normally. »
“It is easier for Portugal to enter the calendar from April, instead of the event in Argentina or the United States which would be canceled, if at that time there are still travel restrictions to the American continent. »
The start of the 2021 season could then take the form of Qatar 1 – Qatar 2 – Portimão – Jerez, or Qatar – Portimao – Jerez 1 – Jerez 2.
For the rest of the calendar, Jorge Viegas specifies, regarding Brno which must be resurfaced, that, if this were not the case, “Russia should fit into the schedule. »
The released schedule is therefore still very provisional, and that is normal, but we can be certain of one thing: Dorna is actively working to ensure that the 2021 season does not resemble the one we have just experienced!
And if by the way we have a new Grand Prix in Portimão in April, no one will complain…
These are obviously not the only elements on which this rumor is based, and If you want to check out our previous episodes of “Radio Paddock”, it’s here, and even if the truth of one day is not necessarily that of the next, we cannot say that we have often been contradicted by the news… Or by the interested parties themselves who read us.
