MotoGP cancelled its season-ending Valencia Grand Prix on Friday due to catastrophic floods and said it would announce a new venue and date.
MotoGP riders on Thursday said it would be unethical to stage the season's final race in Valencia, with six-times champion Marc Marquez saying funds needed to go to people devastated by floods instead of being spent on repairs for the event.
The engines' maximum bore will also be reduced from 81 to 75 millimetres, further limiting their performance, they said in a statement
The first-ever IndianOil Grand Prix of India attracted over one hundred thousand enthusiastic spectators from both India and around the world. Moreover, with a worldwide broadcast spanning 195 nations, it generated a business turnover of Rs 930 crore.
During the MotoGP, Moto 2, and Moto 3 races held at the Buddh International Circuit, 82 riders from 41 teams around the world enthralled Indian fans with their speed.
Marco Bezzecchi emerged as the winner while Francesco Bagnaia encountered a major setback in the MotoGP final race.
He was addressing a Business Conclave before the main MotoGP race. Representatives of several major domestic and multinational companies participated in the conclave where state's MSME Minister Rakesh Sachan and Industrial, Exports Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta were also in attendance.
Pole-sitter Bezzecchi lost out on a sprint podium after a collision with team mate Luca Marini, eventually finishing fifth, but on Sunday there was no rider in the chasing pack who could match the determined Italian’s pace up front.
The sprint was delayed due to wet conditions following a spell of torrential rain earlier in the day but apart from a few damp patches on the track, dry conditions greeted the riders with the sun low on the horizon.
Sunday's race will now feature 21 laps instead of the planned 24, while the sprint race scheduled for later on Saturday has also been cut short by one lap and will take place over 11 laps at the Buddh International Circuit.
India Grand Prix: Luca Marini, set a record time of 1 minute 44.7820 seconds and narrowly beat Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Racing.
Within hours of the matter being flagged by some social media users, MotoGP on its official account on X, formerly Twitter, posted an apology for the gaffe.
Revving up history: India welcomes MotoGP Bharat 2023 – inaugural roar at Buddh International Circuit ignites a new era of two-wheeled thrills!
India is hosting an event of this magnitude for the first time since the now-defunct Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix.
MotoGPBharat shared the details on their Instagram page, stating that the tickets for the 2023 India MotoGP Grand Prix would be available on BookMyShow.
The organisers have also sought permission to start track repairs and other work to make the circuit compliant with the requirements for holding a world-class motorcycle championship like the MotoGP.
The MotoGP World Championship is the highest level of motorcycle racing in the world, in which the most skilled riders compete on world-class, high performance, the fastest prototype motorcycles on the planet, made by leading manufacturers.
The race is scheduled to take place at Buddh International Circuit in Uttar Pradesh, to the south of New Delhi.
If 2023 doesn't work out, both parties aim to conduct a testing event the same year before the inaugural round in 2024.
Here’s what we know
The master agreement between MotoGP commercial rights owner Dorna and Noida-based race promoters Fairstreet Sports could be signed as early as next week.
MotoGP fans in India will be able to attend the highest motorsport racing spectacle on two wheels next year with a full race weekend coming to the country.
"Suzuki Motor Corporation is in discussions with Dorna regarding the possibility of ending its participation in MotoGP at the end of 2022," Suzuki said in a statement.
Spain's Pol Espargaro finished third while championship leader Fabio Quartararo placed ninth but the Frenchman extended his lead over Spaniard Joan Mir to 10 points.
The Gixxer SF now gets the company’s MotoGP livery with the signature Suzuki Racing Blue colour with ‘Ecstar’ decals on both sides.