MotoGP race can still take place this year in India with intervention from UP government – Firstpost
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It was earlier reported that the Indian round of the MotoGP calendar was going to be abandoned due to non-payment of part of dues to championship rights holders, Dorna, a claim categorically rejected by local race organizers, Fairstreet Sports .
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The 2024 MotoGP race in India, which was reportedly canceled, can still go ahead after the Uttar Pradesh government assured championship rights holders Dorna that all financial obligations would be met by the end of this week. A major motorsport magazine reported earlier this month that the Indian round of the calendar was to be abandoned due to non-payment of dues to Dorna, a claim categorically rejected by local race organizers Fairstreet. Sports.
The Uttar Pradesh government, which was the main sponsor of the race during the inaugural edition in 2023, has now become the promoter of the event alongside Fairstreet Sports and is keen to ensure that the Indian Grand Prix takes place in September, as mentioned on the MotoGP website.
In an official email to Dorna, Invest UP – the investment arm of the state government – promised to provide all necessary approvals and the fee disbursement plan by the end of this week. The government and Fairstreet Sports will share the burden of racing fees in line with the tripartite agreement with Dorna.
PTI has learned that Dorna wants all contractual obligations to be fulfilled by March but is ready to give some more time to local promoters ahead of India’s general elections.
“India is one of the things to watch. In these days it will be decided. We cannot delay; next week or the week after at most,” MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta said on the sidelines of this weekend’s Catalan Grand Prix.
The existing contract covers the next six years and with the UP government coming on board as a co-promoter, the event has received a huge boost.
When Formula 1 was held in Greater Noida from 2011 to 2013, the central or state-level government did not financially support this high-profile event.
Governments funding races in motorsport is nothing new. The majority of Formula 1 races are financed by the government of the host country. The 2023 MotoGP round in India, won by Marco Bezzecchi, was the biggest motorsport event held in the country since the last Formula 1 race in 2013. Formula 1 could only last three years in India due to financial and tax problems.
With PTI inputs
