The Grand Prix Commission, composed by Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Paul Duparc (FIM), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in electronic meetings held on 22 and 27 May 2020, made the following decisions which are consistent on the impact of the coronavirus epidemic:
Even though the FIM, IRTA, MSMA and Dorna are optimistic about restarting the Championship, it’s still uncertain how many events it will be possible to hold in 2020. For this reason it has been unanimously approved that the MotoGP Class engine allocation would be decided before agreed before publication of the revised calendar and would be per-event as follows:
Similarly, for the Moto3 class, the engine allocation has also been agreed unanimously:
1. If the total number of events in 2020 is lower than 12 (including Qatar), both 2020 and 2021 will be considered as only one season and the combined maximum engine allocation for both seasons will be of 9 engines.
2. If the number of races in 2020 is 12 or more, then the allocation for the 2020 season will be separate and as follows:
MOTO3 AND MOTO2 CLASS PRIVATE TESTING – With immediate effect, riders in these classes will not be permitted to make further private testing in 2020 until further notice.
The following considerations prompted this decision: With team income being significantly reduced, a ban on testing for all riders will level the playing field between those teams that might have better funding and those that might just be surviving on the monthly subsidy payments.
Availability of circuits is going to be even more limited than normal and may be subject to government restrictions. Furthermore, travel restrictions in Europe and around the World, still vary between countries meaning that only some teams might be permitted to move with vehicles and staff to a test.
Most of the travel restrictions seem to be applicable until, at least, the end of June.
FIM, IRTA and Dorna are hoping to have a significant number of events, hopefully starting in July.
These events will be condensed into a short period of time meaning that, in any case, there are limited days available for testing once racing is resumed. It is the intention of Dorna to hold additional test sessions, for all classes, during the week of the first event.
Dunlop activities are currently limited with many key staff being furloughed. They have already indicated that they will not be able to provide a service at private tests.
