Thailand MotoGP cancellation reports “a misunderstanding”
Reports the 2021 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix has been shelved by the government were a “misunderstanding”, according to a spokesperson from the Buriram circuit.
On Tuesday reports surfaced in the Bangkok Press that the local Thai government had taken the decision to postpone the beginning of its new MotoGP contract with Dorna Sports to 2022 owing to continued uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year’s Thailand race was one of the first to drop off the original calendar when the pandemic first hit, with the Buriram event not featuring on the revised schedule as Dorna elected to keep the championship in Europe.
Motorsport.com reached out for comment from both Dorna and the Buriram Circuit, with both parties denying the report.
A brief statement from the circuit clarified the situation, which read: “There was a misunderstanding. Actually, the government was announcing the postponement of 2020's race and to host in 2021 instead.
“We still carry on and look forward to hosting the Thai GP at our circuit this coming October.”
Thailand first appeared on the MotoGP calendar in 2018, with both editions run so far proving immensely lucrative for the country – with the race supported by the local authority.
Much of the world is currently wrestling a second wave of COVID-19, as new, more infectious variant mutations of the virus have emerged.
This has already caused problems for MotoGP in 2021, with this month’s scheduled first pre-season test at Sepang cancelled in January when Malaysia declared a state of emergency over its rising COVID cases.
Dorna announced late last month the United States and Argentine GPs have been postponed to an unspecified date in the latter half of the calendar due to the virus situation.
This prompted MotoGP to add a second Qatar race – the Doha GP – to follow a week after the opening round at Losail on 28 March, with the Portuguese GP pencilled in for the third round in April.
On Tuesday, the Brno circuit confirmed it will not host a race in 2021 as required track works could not be afforded.
Dorna also announced it had moved the Moto2 and Moto3 pre-season test from Jerez to Qatar on 19-21 March to ensure the entire paddock can be in Qatar for the first month of the championship.
Related video
Previous article
BT Sport extends MotoGP contract through to 2024
Next article
How MotoGP’s COVID protocols will work in Qatar
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
Suzuki commits to 2026
Marc Marquez sensational comeback
Motorsport.tv Live: Portuguese MotoGP
What does Marc Marquez have to do to get back to his best?
Following his resounding MotoGP return with a seventh place finish in Portugal, Marc Marquez now must work to rediscover his best form before turning his attention towards results-based targets
How Yamaha's rookie-spec MotoGP star is taking charge
Fabio Quartararo is on a roll in 2021 after storming to victory at a venue five months earlier served up one of his worst races. Contrasting Portuguese GPs for Yamaha's factory duo make it hard to understand just how good its 2021 MotoGP bike is, but the Portimao weekend did at least expose one key improvement compared to 2020
The hurdles Marquez faces next in his Portugal MotoGP return
Even by Marc Marquez’s own high standards, his MotoGP comeback on Friday at the Portuguese Grand Prix will be considered a success even if he didn’t top the times. But having shown competitive pace on his first day back, both Marquez and his rivals know plenty more challenges are to come...
Where does Espargaro sit ahead of Marquez's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
Why MotoGP's stewards must revisit Miller and Mir's Losail clash
Despite Suzuki’s decision not to appeal against Race Direction’s refusal to penalise Jack Miller following the incident with Joan Mir in Losail, something must be done to avoid a repeat of such an incident, which could have easily ended in tragedy
Why MotoGP’s top gun looks more dangerous at the Doha GP
Lightning hasn't struck twice for Maverick Vinales since 2017 and his wayward form of recent years makes predicting how he'll fare each MotoGP race weekend tricky. But fresh from his Qatar GP win, Vinales looks like an even more dangerous prospect for the Doha GP following an intriguing Friday practice.
Why MotoGP’s new Amazon Prime series is long overdue
OPINION: MotoGP is getting its own version of Drive to Survive on Amazon Prime at some point in the near future. It was news welcomed by the grid’s leading riders. And following the impact DTS has had on Formula 1, MotoGP desperately needs the same boost.
