MotoGP: Indian GP Stands Cancelled For 2024 Season, Expected To Return In March Next Year

MotoGP Indian GP 2024: The MotoGP Indian Grand Prix, which was supposed to be held later this year has been called off from this year’s calendar. It was supposed to be held from September 20-22 and has now been postponed to March next year and will be a part of the next season. This news came at a time when one of the most prestigious motorsport championships returned to the country and was surrounded by controversies over non-payments.  
 
However, the organizers revealed that the decision to postpone the tournament was taken collectively by MotoGP organizers Dorna, the UP government, and FairStreet Sports. According to a Hindustan Times report, this decision was taken on Monday and was also made so that the participants don’t have to bear the brunt of scorching heat and the riders can participate in favorable weather.  
 
So now the Indian GP would be the 2025 MotoGP season opener as the Qatar GP was also postponed as it would be coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan. There is a high chance that Dorna could change the venue of pre-season testing in India at the BIC instead of the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.  

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“It was mutually decided to shift the race to March next year. We are looking at the first or second week of March”, Pushkar Nath Srivastava, who is the CEO of FairStreet sports was quoted as saying to PTI. “All the stakeholders including Dorna agreed that the weather in September is not conducive for the race, and it is tough on the riders and marshals as experienced last year”, he added.  
 
The first edition of MotoGP Indian GP was held amidst a huge fanfare. Although there were last-minute visa challenges despite all of that it was a successful event as both the teams and riders were happy with a revamped Buddh International circuit. But since it's hot in September as well, the riders would have to bear the scorching heat. Race winner Frances Bagnaia collapsed due to the unfavorable weather conditions. The race was also reduced to three laps due to high temperatures where rider Jorge Martin created a ruckus by removing his zip due to dehydration.  
 
The postponement will help Dorna to bring back Kazakhstan GP this year, which was earlier postponed due to floods in the country. It was supposed to be held next month but has now been postponed to September.  

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Rumors of Indian GP getting canceled began this month as there were speculations that Dorna was thinking about canceling it from this year’s calendar due to non-payment of dues. However, the Indian organizers claimed that all the financial dues would be completed by June and were postponed due to the general elections. The UP government also intervened with its investment department. The organizers also tried to open ticket windows for the June 14 round.  
 
Moreover, FairStreet Sports revealed that there were discussions about holding the race in September in the country and then again in March next year, which isn’t possible with a four-month window.