It is no secret that the current MotoGP calendar could see further changes as the pandemic develops and all signs indicate that we must expect a further revision of the dates and routes.
For now there are still 8 races to go, with two of them at high risk: the American GP in Austin on October 3rd and the Malaysian GP on October 24th.
These are the last two non-European Grand Prix after Japan, Thailand and Australia have thrown in the towel because of Covid-19.
As is well known the pandemic is not in recession in all countries of the worldon the contrary, in some of them it is expanded due to new variants, typically the delta. In Malaysia, for example, the numbers are increasing and although the Sepang Circuit is relatively far from Kuala Lumpur (30 minutes by train), in the area where the international airport is located, the numerous on-site hotels have been converted into Covid hotels to accommodate quarantines.
With this situation it is clear that Sepang will not be able to accommodate the public, unlike at the Red Bull Ring, where the Grand Prix was held under almost normal conditions.
The city of Austin is in a similar situation, currently back in ‘Phase 5’, i.e. on high alert and with health facilities near the overflow.
If these two Grands Prix are canceled, they will surely be replaced by more races in Europe, but where?
Logic would lead us to believe that one of the circuits chosen for a double header could be Misano, which hosts the 14th round of the season on September 19th, but the following week Misano is busy with the Italian Cup. It is a small competition, but will the “Marco Simoncelli” release the date or will the event be expanded to include the world championship? Difficult but not impossible.
Misano is also busy on October 3rd (Lamera Cup) and 10th (Misano Classic Weekend) as well as on 17th (Grand Prix Truck) and 23rd (Porsche Cup Swiss Championship).
Another candidate placement is likely Jerezwhich, however, will be occupied by Superbike on September 26th and by the final of the Spanish SBK Championship on October 31st. Jerez is already occupied on October 3rd and 24th, but with cars.
We could even imagine a Valencia double headed ball but at the final race on Ricardo Tormo’s racetrack on November 14th, where the teams should not only think about the Christmas decorations, but also bring snow tires. And just thinking of a third GP in Portugal after the date on November 7th in the Algarve seems risky.
In short: In order to keep the calendar for the current 18 races, Dorna has to commit. And maybe even the racetracks need to check their respective calendars. Mala tempora currunt (“bad times are just around the corner”).
This is the current calendar for 2021, as announced in July:
