The MotoGP championship’s India round will not take place on the scheduled date in September, but rather in March 2025, local race promoters told PTI on Tuesday. Reports that the race producers had not paid off all of their debts with rights holders Dorna following the debut round last year have cast doubt on the second round, which is planned for September 20-22. However, following a meeting on Tuesday with all stakeholders — Dorna, Fairstreet Sports, and the Uttar Pradesh government — it was decided to move the round to a yet-to-be-determined date in March.
“It was mutually resolved to move the race to March of next year. We’re looking at the first or second week of March. All stakeholders, including Dorna, agreed that the September weather is unsuitable for the event and is difficult for the riders and marshals, as seen last year,” Fairstreet Sports CEO Pushkar Nath Srivastava told PTI.
When questioned if the race’s postponement was due to unpaid dues, Srivastava stated emphatically “no”.
“All payments were made in between, and whatever remains will be paid by next month. So that was not a major consideration in moving the event to next year. We also considered scheduling it in November, but it would have required four back-to-back races, which would have been taxing for the teams and riders,” Srivastava explained.
During the maiden race at the Buddh International Circuit, over 50,000 people attended, which was enough to fill half of the venue.
“We also expect more fans to show up in March as the weather will be better,” stated Srivastava.
The current season began on March 10 in Doha, and the organisers can schedule the India round for the following week.
Dorna and local promoters agreed to stage the event in India for seven years before to the 2023 edition. Last year’s sponsor, the Uttar Pradesh government, has now become a co-promoter, raising expectations for the high-profile event’s long-term survival.
Marco Bezzecchi won the 2023 MotoGP round in India, the country’s largest racing event since the final Formula One race in 2013. Formula One could only continue three years in India due to financial and tax concerns.
