Revised 2020 MotoGP season calendar released

The virus situation is a continuously evolving situation that has and continues to make many changes to life as we know it. The FIM has just released a revised calendar for the 2020 MotoGP season, and Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta sat down to discuss the revised calendar.

A revised calendar for the remainder of the 2020 MotoGP season has just been released!

What can you tell us about the calendar?

“It has been hard work from our side and from the side of the promoters, finally we obtained these possibilities. Once we had the protocol approved then we are able to propose this calendar. In principle we have some circuits where we will repeat races one week after another.

“We thought when we ran into the problem of the pandemic, we realised we can do 13 races and then if it’s possible to go outside Europe it will be interesting. The races outside Europe need to be confirmed before the end of July, then also our agreement with the manufacturers and with the teams is to finish the Championship no later than the 13th of December, that means we need to decide which of the races to do”.

“It has been hard work from our side and from the side of the promoters, finally we obtained these possibilities.”

So we’re waiting to see how the pandemic evolves and for permissions from authorities for the final four races at the end of the year?

“We need to wait because as we’ve commented before, to do the races outside Europe it’s necessary to do it with spectators. We are waiting to see the development of health measures in other countries, in the States, Argentina, Malaysia and Thailand, and then we will see what is possible to include in the calendar.”

Could the season potentially finish in Malaysia?

“We will see. It’s a possibility, but all the races outside of Europe are pending and we don’t know exactly. If there are no races outside Europe then the Championship will finish like every year in Valencia, if not it depends which races are able to do it but Malaysia is one possibility, yes.”

"...all the races outside of Europe are pending and we don’t know exactly."

What more can you tell us about the protocol for going racing?

“The protocol is the hardest one we have. We’ve presented it to everyone. If the situation improves later there could be some changes, but always in agreement with the authorities, but today it’s the protocol we have presented to everyone – from the teams to the FIM, it’s the protocol we will use from the beginning of the Championship.”

And we also have the MotoE™ calendar now announced…

“Yes. There will be five rounds: two in Jerez, two in Misano and one round in France. The second Misano round and the Le Mans round will have two races.”

Do you have a message for the paddock?

“I wish you all the best possible season. The most important thing is for everyone to take care of their health, and as always, we wish everyone a happy season with no crashes!”