Site icon FormulaRapida.net

MotoGP inks new deal with UP Government to stage Indian GP

MotoGP, Indian GP

Jack Miller, Indian MotoGP 22 September 2023 // Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202309240053 // Usage for editorial use only //

Dorna Sports has signed a new deal with the Uttar Pradesh Government in a direct route to stage MotoGP Indian GP for three seasons.

MotoGP has signed a new contract with Invest UP, the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s agency that facilitates international investment into the state. The agreement confirms the Indian Grand Prix will be on the calendar from 2025 to 2027 inclusive. The event will continue to be held at Buddh International Circuit, which made its debut on the MotoGP calendar in 2023.

With a population of over 1.4 billion people and more than 200 million motorcycles on its roads, India is a key global market for MotoGP, our manufacturers and many of the sport’s partners. Two-wheeled transportation counts for nearly 75% of the total number of vehicles used daily.

India also has a healthy established audience for MotoGP, with further scope to grow in coming seasons. The inaugural Grand Prix at Buddh saw more than 100,000 fans come to see history made as the world’s most exciting sport raced in the country for the first time.

This new agreement, signed directly between MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports and the government of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous region in India, provides the perfect backdrop to further the success of both the sport and motorcycle industry across the country.

Mr. Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Secretary-cum-Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner, Government of UP, emphasized the monumental significance of this agreement: “Bringing MotoGP to Uttar Pradesh not only elevates our state on the global sports stage but also catalyzes substantial economic growth across tourism, hospitality, and associated sectors. This event will magnetize visitors worldwide, spotlighting Uttar Pradesh’s prowess in hosting world-class sporting extravaganzas.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, said: “We’re very happy to announce this new agreement made directly with the government of Uttar Pradesh. The inaugural Indian Grand Prix was a key success and brought an enormous amount of value to both MotoGP and our host region of UP, so it’s fantastic we are able to continue building that together into the future.

“India is an essential market for MotoGP, with a healthy, established audience for the racing, and one we know we can increase exponentially. There are also hundreds of millions of two-wheeled vehicles used across the country every day, making it vital for our manufacturers and for the sport itself thanks to MotoGP’s position as the pinnacle of two wheels. We’re very proud to work directly with the government of Uttar Pradesh to bring MotoGP back to India, and UP and Buddh International Circuit, for the next three seasons.”

[Note: The story is as per press release]