No MotoGP Bharat in 2024, second edition of race in India will take place in March next year

India will not be part of the MotoGP championship this year and will instead host its second race in 2025, the race’s local promoters said on Tuesday.

The first edition of MotoGP Bharat was held from September 22 to 24 last year at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, won by Italian Marco Bezzecchi.

However, MotoGP’s return to Indian shores for a second race in September this year began to look doubtful after it was reported that the race’s promoters had not cleared all their dues with rights holders Dorna. The second edition of MotoGP Bharat was scheduled to take place from September 20 to 22 this year.

The race, on the other hand, was postponed to March next year following a meeting between all stakeholders – Dorna, co-promoters Fairstreet Sports as well as the Uttar Pradesh government.

“It was decided by mutual agreement to postpone the race to March next year. We are looking at the first or second week of March. All stakeholders, including Dorna, agreed that the September weather is not suitable for racing and is difficult for riders and marshals, as was the case last year. Fairstreet Sports CEO Pushkar Nath Srivastava told PTI.

When asked if the postponement of the race had anything to do with unpaid dues, Srivastava responded with a clear “no”.

“All payments have been made in the meantime and anything remaining will be paid next month. So it wasn’t really a factor in postponing the race to next year. We had also thought about doing it in November but that would have meant four races in a row, which would have been difficult for the teams and the riders,” said Srivastava.

More than 50,000 fans descended on the Buddh International Circuit for the inaugural race, just enough to fill half the facility.

“We also expect more fans to turn up in March as the weather will be better,” Srivastava said.

The current season began in Doha on March 10 and the organizers may hold the Indian round the following week.

Ahead of the 2023 edition, Dorna and local promoters signed a seven-year deal to stage the race in India.

The Uttar Pradesh government, which was a sponsor last year, has now become a co-promoter, raising hopes for a long-term future for the high-profile event.

The 2023 MotoGP round in India was the biggest motorsport event held in the country since the last Formula 1 race which took place in 2013. Formula 1 could only last three years in India due to financial problems and tax.