MotoGP News: Indian Grand Prix To Return In 2025 With Multi-Year Contract

Saajan Jogia | Aug 1, 2024

Apr 14, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Jorge Martin (89) of Spain and Prima Pramac Racing and Maverick Vinales (12) of Spain and Aprilia Racing rides during the MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Indian Grand Prix regains a spot in the MotoGP calendar in 2025 after Dorna secured a three-year contract extension with the government of Uttar Pradesh. The event is expected to be hosted after the opening race in Qatar to avoid extreme weather conditions.

The inaugural Indian GP in 2023 was shortened by three laps after MotoGP riders requested adjustments due to the hot and humid conditions in September. However, with the 2025 race scheduled for March, the temperature is expected to be comfortably mild with low humidity levels, ensuring more favorable racing conditions.

The new agreement between Dorna and the Uttar Pradesh government extends for three seasons, running until 2027. Initially, the original contract signed before 2023 stipulated that MotoGP would visit India for seven consecutive seasons.

However, the Indian GP was dropped from the 2024 calendar due to unsuitable September weather and other operational factors. Additionally, it is believed that the event promoter, Fairstreet Sports, had not cleared its hosting fee due until this year, which is thought to be the actual reason behind the event's cancellation for the current season.

Fairstreet organized the race in 2023 with support from the government but faced criticism for various issues and a general lack of experience in conducting sporting events. Consequently, Fairstreet was notably absent from MotoGP's statement regarding the new contract extension. Whether the Uttar Pradesh state government will hire a new organization to promote the event as part of its new deal with Dorna remains unclear.

Announcing the signing of the new deal, Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, said in a statement:

“We’re very happy to announce this new agreement made directly with the government of Uttar Pradesh.

“The inaugural Indian Grand Prix was a key success and brought an enormous amount of value to both MotoGP and our host region of Uttar Pradesh, so it’s fantastic we are able to continue building that together into the future.

“India is an essential market for MotoGP, with a healthy, established audience for the racing, and one we know we can increase exponentially. There are also hundreds of millions of two-wheeled vehicles used across the country every day, making it vital for our manufacturers and for the sport itself thanks to MotoGP’s position as the pinnacle of two wheels.

“We’re very proud to work directly with the government of Uttar Pradesh to bring MotoGP back to India, and Uttar Pradesh and Buddh International Circuit, for the next three seasons.”