India is all set to host a round of the MotoGP World Championship. This is the latest high-profile racing series to come to the country, following confirmation of the Hyderabad Formula E race to be held in February 2023.
The ‘Grand Prix of Bharat’, as it is being called, is being organised by Noida-based Fairsteet Sports and an official confirmation is expected sometime next week in an event that will be attended by top Dorna (MotoGP promoter) officials.
- Official confirmation expected next week
- Buddh International Circuit likely to host the race
Where will the India MotoGP race be held?
Speaking at the FMSCI’s annual awards gala earlier this year, the governing body’s president, Akbar Ebrahim, had already confirmed that talks were on to bring MotoGP to India. While we’ll have to wait a bit longer for official details, the race will likely be held at the Buddh International Circuit. Organisers are looking to secure a spot on the 2023 MotoGP calendar, but this is subject to the track receiving the necessary FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) homologation. Given the tight timeframe, 2024 would be a more realistic slot.
This isn’t the first time the circuit has explored hosting a major international two-wheeler series. There were plans to host a round of the World Superbike Championship at the track in the mid-2010s, but after several postponements, that was called off.
Of course, since then India has seen a big push for motorsport with several new circuits coming up and a number of international championships coming to the country. The inaugural season of the Indian Racing Festival kicks off in November 2022 with Formula Regional India and F4 India, both of which are eligible for FIA Super Licence points – a first in India. And then there’s the Hyderabad E-Prix, set to be held on February 11, 2023.
The first season of the FIM MiniGP World Series India also recently wrapped up. Winner Shreyas Hareesh and runner-up Jinendra Kiran Sangave will now represent India in the MiniGP finals that will be held in Valencia in November, during the 2022 MotoGP finale week.
Dipan Sur
