MotoGP delayed until June as Mugello, Catalunya postponed

The coronavirus pandemic, which has infected well over a million people worldwide as more countries begin to hit the peak of the outbreak, has played havoc with the MotoGP calendar. 

After the opening round of the season in Qatar was cancelled due to the increased travel restrictions in the country, the subsequent rounds in Thailand, America, Argentina, Spain (Jerez) and France were postponed.

With Italy one of the hardest hit countries in the world, the May 31 Mugello race was not expected to go ahead, while the postponement of Spain’s Formula 1 round in Barcelona made MotoGP’s Catalan GP also look unfeasible.

In a statement released by MotoGP’s governing body the FIM, it confirmed Mugello and Catalunya have been officially postponed. 

As has been the case since Jerez’s postponement, a new calendar has not been issued as both the FIM and Dorna Sports wait to see how the current virus situation plays out.

Pending calendar changes, the earliest MotoGP 2020 could start will be the German Grand Prix on June 21.

Last week, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said he’d be “delighted” with a 10-round season later this year – but said a total cancellation of the year had to be “contemplated”.

However, Ducati boss Paolo Ciabatti told Motorsport.com that finding 10 countries able to host races would be difficult and instead suggested finding five and holding two races on each circuit.

Last week, Dorna announced its €9.075million financial aid package to help all satellite MotoGP teams – as well as KTM – and all Moto2 and Moto3 squads weather the current financial storm they face over the next three months.