The latest news about any return to the track for MotoGP involves the cancellation (as opposed to postponement) of the British, Japanese and Australian Grands Prix for 2020.
Originally slated for August 30, October 18 and October 25 respectively, it has mostly been the logistical issues that have arisen because of the postponements and multiple calendar rebuilding that have resulted in Silverstone and Phillip Island missing out this year.
This will mean no GP track action in the British Isles for the first time in the Championship's more than 70-year history, and Phillip Island has been the only MotoGP venue in Australia since 1997, having staged the very first Australian MotoGP in 1989.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: "We're saddened to have to announce the cancellation of these iconic events after finding no way through the logistical and operational issues resulting from the pandemic and rearranged calendar. Silverstone and Phillip Island are always two of the most thrilling race weekends of the season, with both tracks never failing in their promise to deliver some of the closest racing in our championship.
"Being the home of MotoGP manufacturers Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki, Japan is vital to the global presence and success of MotoGP - the iconic Twin Ring Motegi has been on the calendar since 1999 and always attracts some of the most dedicated and loyal fans in the world.
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| Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports |
"This will be the first time that we will not have a Japanese Grand Prix on the calendar since 1986. The MotoGP family is working very hard to be able to re-start the racing season and hold as many events as possible, and in the safest way possible.
"For this reason, the FIM and Dorna, in consultation with IRTA and MSMA, have decided that, until mid-November, MotoGP will remain in Europe to do as many European MotoGP events as we are able to."
In what is a rather confusing statement, Ezpeleta went on to state "therefore, 'overseas' events, if at all possible, would be scheduled after mid-November" - which would be too late in the year for the Motul Grand Prix of Japan to be held - though, as far as IDN can discern, Thailand is still slated for October 4 and Malaysia for November 1.
As things stand, the Czech GP (August 9) is slated to re-start the season after the one and only MotoGP round so far in Qatar on March 8. From there the series would go to Austria (August 16), San Marino (September 13), Aragon, Spain (September 27), Thailand (October 4), Malaysia (November 1), Austin, Texas (November 15) and Argentina (November 22nd) before a season finish at Valencia, Spain, on November 29.
However, the postponed Spanish GP at Jerez, French (Le Mans), Italian (Mugello) and Barcelona-Catalunya Grands Prix are still 'pending' (to be determined), but with logistical, availability and permit options to fit them into the remaining race weekend opportunities fast running out.
The Grand Prix Commission (GPC) has issued an update on MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 engine allocations for the upcoming 2020 campaign - details and all the latest series news as it develops at:
www.motogp.com
