‘Grand Prix Bharat’: MotoGP to make India debut in winter of 2023

India is all set to host a round of the MotoGP World Championship. This is the latest high-profile racing series to come to the country, following confirmation of the Hyderabad Formula E race to be held in February 2023.

The ‘Grand Prix of Bharat’, as it is being called, is being organised by Noida-based Fairsteet Sports and an official confirmation is expected sometime next week in an event that will be attended by top Dorna (MotoGP promoter) officials.

Dorna MD Carlos Ezpeleta and CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta will be in the national capital on Wednesday.

This full race weekend will include MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 races being conducted in the country. Additionally, fans will also be able to enjoy MotoE electric motorcycle racing which could take place in India as early as the end of 2022. The MotoE race, however, will depend on the racetrack being ready in due time.

The highest probability of the appointed racetrack is the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh – the same race track which also hosted the first F1 race in India in 2012.

The FIM homologation of the track will be done only after the agreement is signed between MotoGP rights owner and race promoters.

Speaking to PTI, Fairstreet Sports COO Pushkar Nath said they have done their homework for the organisation of the high-profile race, taking into consideration what went wrong with Formula 1 nine years ago.

‘India is the largest two-wheeler market in the world. Everyone has a connect with bikes. It has aspirational value. MotoGP is one of the most watched sporting events,’ Nath told PTI.

Around 5000 people work on a MotoGP weekend which incudes races in junior classes Moto 2 and Moto 3. The race will not only put Uttar Pradesh on the global map but is expected to boost tourism.

Nath said the race is not possible without the support of government and he is thankful to both the state and centre for their help in getting the event to India.