Indian GP Update: Promoters Comment On Replacement Rumors
Following rumors the 2024 Indian GP might be canceled and replaced with the postponed race in Kazakhstan, Indian GP promoter Fairstreet Sports comments on the situation.
Promoters of the MotoGP round in India reiterated on Tuesday that the September race will proceed as planned, countering reports that Kazakhstan would replace India on the 2024 calendar.
Rumors that Kazakhstan might take India’s spot because local promoters Fairstreets Sports had allegedly not paid their partial dues to MotoGP rights holders Dorna emerged on early Monday.
Nevertheless, Fairstreets Sports CEO Pushkar Nath Srivastava confirmed that the event, set for September 20-22, remains on the schedule, with all contractual obligations expected to be fulfilled next month.
The first MotoGP race in India took place in Greater Noida last year, following a seven-year agreement between Fairstreet Sports and Dorna. The MotoGP website’s calendar still includes India. “The race is very much on. These are just rumours floating around. All of the contractual obligations will be met in June,” Srivastava told PTI.
For the inaugural edition, the Uttar Pradesh government provided financial assistance of Rs 18 crore to Fairstreet Sports. In March, the government requested a detailed report on the utilization of the funds for the event.
From the second season onwards, the state government is expected to collaborate with Fairstreet Sports in organizing the race.
The 2023 MotoGP round in India, which Marco Bezzecchi won, was the most significant motorsport event in the country since the last Formula 1 race in 2013. F1 only lasted three years in India due to financial and taxation issues.
