MOTOGP
MotoGP to host races in India, Kazakhstan next year
Kazakhstan will become the 30th country to host a motorcycle grand prix since 1949
MotoGP will make its debut in India and Kazakhstan in 2023 on a calendar which boasts more races and countries than ever before, it announced on Friday.
The 2023 season will begin with the Portuguese GP on March 24-26 and wrap up in Valencia on November 24-26, according to the 21-race provisional calendar released by MotoGP.
Kazakhstan will become the 30th country to host a motorcycle grand prix since 1949 when the race takes place on July 7-9 at the Sokol International Racetrack, northwest of Almaty.
The Indian GP will be held at the Buddh International Circuit in New Delhi from September 22-24, while Le Mans will host the 1,000th Grand Prix at the French GP on May 12-14.
“India is also a key market for the motorcycle industry and therefore, by extension, for MotoGP as the pinnacle of the two-wheeled world,” Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of commercial rights holders Dorna Sports, said in a statement on Friday.
The 5.14km track on the outskirts of New Delhi held Formula One races between 2011-13 before it was dropped from the calendar.
The Kazakhstan and Indian grands prix are subject to contract and certification, MotoGP said.
PROVISIONAL 2023 MOTOGP CALENDAR
March 26 — Portugal
April 2 — Argentina
April 16 — US
April 30 — Spain (Jerez)
May 14 — France
June 11 — Italy
June 18 — Germany
June 25 — Netherlands
July 9 — Kazakhstan **
August 6 — Britain
August 20 — Austria
September 3 — Spain (Catalunya)
September 10 — San Marino
September 24 — India **
October 1 — Japan
October 15 — Indonesia
October 22 — Australia
October 29 — Thailand
November 12 — Malaysia
November 19 — Qatar *
November 26 — Spain (Valencia)
** Subject to contract and homologation
* Evening race