Indian MotoGP race is now expected to be held in 2025
The 2024 Indian Grand Prix, originally slated for September, has been postponed to March 2025, with the Kazakhstan Grand Prix taking its place on the MotoGP calendar. The decision, confirmed by Fairstreet Sports, the event’s promoter, and MotoGP rights holder Dorna, was primarily influenced by weather concerns.
Initially planned for September 23-25, 2024, at the Buddh International Circuit near Delhi, the Indian Grand Prix faced significant challenges due to unsuitable weather conditions in Greater Noida during that time of year. According to Fairstreet Sports CEO Pushkar Nath Srivastava, these conditions posed difficulties for both riders and marshals, as observed during the inaugural event last year.
“The decision to move the race to March of next year, aiming for the first or second week, was a collective agreement among all stakeholders,” Srivastava stated. “With the support and vision of the government of UP, the race in March will be staged in a grander manner and will aim to set a new standard for excellence in motorsport events.”
While weather conditions were the official reason given for the postponement, reports suggest that Fairstreet Sports has not yet met all the contractual obligations for the 2023 race, potentially contributing to the delay.
In place of the Indian GP, the Kazakhstan Grand Prix, previously postponed due to severe floods, will now take the slot on the 2024 MotoGP calendar. MotoGP officials have confirmed that the Kazakhstan round will be held from September 20-22, kicking off a triple-header that includes the Indonesian and Japanese Grands Prix.
Dorna’s CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta, emphasised the importance of the schedule adjustments: “Rescheduling the Kazakhstan Grand Prix was a necessary step to ensure the continuity of our calendar. We are committed to bringing MotoGP to new and exciting locations, and we believe Kazakhstan will provide a unique experience for our fans.”
Additionally, the postponement aligns well with the traditional MotoGP season opener in Qatar, which will be pushed back due to religious holidays. This arrangement also opens the possibility of the Buddh International Circuit hosting MotoGP’s pre-season test.
