MotoGP Visa Chaos Ahead of Indian Grand Prix Premiere
Categories: MotoGP
MotoGP is slipping into chaos ahead of its first Indian Grand Prix as many paddock members are still waiting for their visas.
Track safety, tax regulations, and customs arrangements have been the biggest concerns of the MotoGP team in recent months ahead of the first-ever Indian Grand Prix. Now, however, it is the visa issue that caused serious problems in the paddock.
The agency hired by Dorna, which was supposed to take care of a quick and easy processing of the visa process, has earned well at the MotoGP but has not delivered as promised.
Even on the Tuesday before the race weekend, many members of the paddock still lack the necessary entry permits. Many missed their flights or had to rebook.
Flight delay due to lack of visa for the #IndianGP,” Marc Marquez wrote on Tuesday morning under a photo of him cycling in Spain. “Then we just pedal a bit.”
Especially the teams are now under great pressure because many mechanics or engineers will not make it to the Buddh International Circuit as planned.
“I expected everything, but I didn’t expect the visa to be the deciding factor,” says Joan Mir’s Crew Chief Giacomo Guidotti.
“Now we have to squeeze two working days into one. This will be an intensive preparation for the weekend.” At least the racing stables from the Visa Chaos should not suffer any financial damage.
Visa, Mastercard or American Express?
— Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) September 19, 2023
The team association IRTA wants to cover all additional costs for flights. Other paddock workers, such as journalists, should not expect compensation, they will have to pay for their extra expenses themselves.
For MotoGP, a race against time begins. Cancellation of the Indian Grand Prix is to be avoided at all costs. However, should the paddock arrive at the Buddh International Circuit with a significant delay, a cancellation of Practice Friday, just as in the previous year in Argentina, could be possible.
Even less practice time on a track unknown to the riders would certainly cause trouble among the active riders.
