Indian GP Still Under Threat - Approval "Not Until Thursday Before the Grand Prix"
Categories: MotoGP
Although Dorna is sure the Indian Grand Prix could take place, the track will not be homologated until “Thursday before the Grand Prix”.
When MotoGP visits a new circuit, the track and all its safety measures are usually homologated by the FIM and Dorna 90 days before the event.
However, the 2023 Indian Grand Prix will be different – and the question is whether the first-ever motorcycle Grand Prix in India will take place at all.
With less than two months to go before the latest addition to the MotoGP calendar is inaugurated, there is still a lot of work to be done on the track.
Dorna Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta confirmed the delay in an interview with the Hindustan Times.
“Some minimal changes need to be made to turns 3 and 13, like replacing some of the asphalt run-off areas with gravel, some paintwork.”
The Spaniard tries to reassure: “We are a bit behind at the moment, but we will be on time for sure. There are several stages in the homologation of a circuit.”
“Ninety days is for tracks that are new and have to be built from scratch. In this case, the circuit has minor modifications”.
Final Approval Not Until Last Day Before Grand Prix
Ezpeleta explained that it is normal for a new venue not to have everything ready, even a few weeks before the Grand Prix.
However, the fact that what is supposed to be a final homologation will only take place on the Thursday before the Grand Prix, the day before the MotoGP rockets take to the track, seems very short notice.
“We would have liked to have everything ready by then, but it’s not too late. The final homologation takes place on Thursday, the day before the event, because there is a lot of work that can only be done at the end; all the paint, the asphalt, which has to be fresh, can only be done in the last few weeks.
“Also, the homologation includes things like the fire brigade, the marshals, the medical services and all that can only be done the day before (the event). So the final (green) signal will be given on Thursday (21 September).
Despite the delay, Ezpeleta remains optimistic, saying that the support of the local government makes him believe that the event can go ahead as planned.
“The support that the Honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur have shown for this project makes me confident that the work can be done in the shortest possible time.”
“It is a simple job, not rocket science. We are on the right track. The UP government has set up a special task force for the event itself”.
