MotoGP races could be held behind closed doors in a bid to minimise possible interference caused by mass crowds amid the coronavirus outbreak.
It has been a turbulent week for MotoGP with the start of the 2020 season heavily disrupted by the outbreak. This weekend’s Qatar season opener was cancelled and the second round in Thailand was postponed from March to October.
Earlier this week, it was announced all sporting events in Italy will take place without fans present for at least the next month due to the virus outbreak in the country.
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Qatar off, Thai GP postponed
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Championship promoter Dorna Sports confirmed on Thursday that the 2020 calendar was revised to allow for the Thailand rescheduling, with the Aragon race brought ahead by a week to accommodate the tweak.
However, the threat of the outbreak remains ever-present. The situation changes by the day, and next weekend’s Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne may be affected due to Italian travellers being subject to “advanced screening” upon arrival.
MotoGP is in the same boat, with several teams and riders – as well as the legions of fans – hailing from Italy.
The Qatar weekend will still go ahead with Moto2 and Moto3 to compete as planned, although the paddock will be on lockdown. The grandstands will remain open to the public, but the Qatari government asked Dorna to allow only staff members and teams to access the paddock.
Speaking to media, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta admitted there may be further changes – and the prospect of racing without spectators remains a possibility.
“Everything is possible,” said Espeleta when asked about holding events behind closed doors.
“The most important thing for us to have a solution that covers everything.
“We say always that Dorna, with the agreement with FIM and IRTA (International Road-Racing Teams Association), is a company who makes races. And this is our obligation despite any other things.
“For us the most important, more than economy or whatever, is to make races.
“I can assure you with all the people of IRTA and all the MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 managers, we will try to do as many races as we can.
“I will not say now that I am optimistic but the only thing I can promise to you is we will work hard for whatever solution has happened, to make the races … the 19 remaining races.”
Melbourne GP 'will go ahead'
1:15The Circuit of the Americas will host the first round for MotoGP across April 3-5, with Argentina to follow across April 17-19 at Termas de Rio Hondo. The first European race isn’t until May 1-3 at Jerez in Spain.
Losing Qatar means the 2020 season will now feature a record-equalling 19 races. Ezpeleta said 13 races must be held for the season to be recorded as a world championship.
However, prior to Thailand’s rescheduling, Espeleta was already adamant there would be a world championship in 2020 – even if it took up to Christmas to fit them all in.
“Contractually with the FIM, the minimum number for the World Championship is 13,” he added.
“Even in the worst case, with lots of cancellations, we have time … maybe we will race in countries where it’s hot at Christmas but our duty is to make races and we’ll make races.
“Maybe they’ll need to postpone the FIM prize-giving ceremony but we’ll make races.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/moto-gp/motogp-2020-qatar-motogp-cancelled-thailand-motogp-coronavirus/news-story/241ac338ac7e5660512987da172692e6
2020-03-06 02:54:00Z
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