MotoGP extends deal with Portuguese GP for two more seasons, as Indian GP gets another postponement to a 2026 date.
Portuguese GP stays on –
MotoGP is excited to announce a two-year agreement with the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, confirming the iconic venue on the calendar for 2025 and 2026. Since its debut, the AIA has hosted some true classics and milestone moments across the six Grands Prix staged at the venue so far.
Portimão is a perfect backdrop for MotoGP, matching up a fantastic racing venue with a fan-favourite destination. The sizeable economic impact of the event also delivers an even greater return for the host country, region, and circuit as MotoGP brings hundreds of thousands of fans to Portugal and the Algarve outside peak tourist season.
Two more Grands Prix guarantees more spectacle and more positive impact as the world’s most exciting sport returns in 2025 and 2026. Pedro Machado, Secretary of State for Tourism: “The MotoGP Grand Prix is one of the most visible sporting events in the world, reaching more than 200 territories and with a fanbase of more than 500 million. We are therefore talking about an event that has a unique ability to promote and project Portugal as a tourist destination and as an organizer of major sporting events.
“By supporting the organization of these initiatives, we are strengthening our country’s reputation and attractiveness and this is very important from the point of view of tourism. It also has an immediate economic impact on the regional economy, which is equally significant, since this is an event that attracts thousands of people over several days, including spectators and staff from the competing teams.”
Jaime Costa, CEO of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve: “It’s a great source of pride to be able to continue having a MotoGP round at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve and to see the recognition of our effort and work, which has been going on since 2020. The Portuguese Grand Prix and our track, with its unique features on the calendar, are already a benchmark for riders and teams.
“The fact that we have signed a two-year contract allows us to look at the event in a completely different way, with a continuity of improvement in the spectator experience, in order to reach record numbers of visitors to our circuit and consequently to the country and region, emphasizing its economic added value for the territory. We are already working on the 2025 GP, so that will once again, be a unique event in Portugal.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We’re very happy to announce that we will be racing in Portugal for at least another two years. Since we first went to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, it has become a favourite for many fans and riders, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is it a beautiful place to race, but the event itself has improved every year, and we are very proud to be able to make such a positive economic, sporting and social impact on the area. We look forward to seeing our Portuguese fans again in 2025 and 2026.”
Indian GP –
The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports confirm that the Indian Grand Prix will be included on the 2026 FIM MotoGP calendar, moving to become a reserve event for 2025. Operational circumstances have obliged the event to be delayed from its initial slot near the start of the 2025 calendar. With no available dates towards the end of the season, MotoGP will therefore return to India in the early stages of 2026.
Both MotoGP and InvestUP are working hard to bring MotoGP back to Buddh International Circuit with a world-class event, and are committed to confirming India as a destination for global sporting events. Our collaboration with InvestUP to bring MotoGP back to India continues to lay fantastic foundations for the future and MotoGP looks forward to racing in front of our incredible Indian fans as soon as possible.
MotoGP riders on Emilia Romagna GP hit –
The Emilia-Romagna GP gave us drama by the bucketload, with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) taking a superb win after a late overtake on Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), while Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashed out of his 100th GP.
“I think next time if I have to do the same, for sure no consequence, I hope”
Bastianini’s late race-winning attack on Martin has divided opinions in the paddock, with some deeming the move over the limit, while others believe it is just good, old-fashioned racing! Below you can see what the riders thought of the move!
Jorge Martin: “For sure, now I think we are clearer about the Race Direction ideas for the future. So, I think next time if I have to do the same, for sure no consequence, I hope. Even Marc Marquez said that he thinks it should be drop one position!”
Enea Bastianini: “I saw the only chance to attack him on the last lap was at Turn 4. He tried to close the line. I was a bit on the limit with the front, but then I closed the corner and I won the race.”
Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP): “Enea was not able to keep the bike inside the racetrack, so for me, it’s drop one position. But it’s Race Direction that decides.”
Francesco Bagnaia: “I think it was a racing overtake. Nothing different compared to what Jorge has already done in the past, with me in last season and in Qatar and India he did the same. I think it is normal.”
Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team): “If you push another rider out of the track and you just go over – don’t make the corner. Please, if Martin makes the same move in Indonesia, I expect the same treatment – as Martin, Pecco, me, everybody. Only this.”
Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing): The rules are clear. Once you are in a direct fight with a rider, and you go on the green, you need to give up a position. The fact that he didn’t go on the green, because it’s not painted green over there, but he didn’t make the corner. So it is a last lap overtake, everyone is fighting to the centimetre, and it is difficult to overtake with the MotoGP bike, so you need to take every opportunity.
“If it is for the win, I don’t mind, but I leave it up to the stewards. The rules are clear, so he’s not penalised because the paint is not green, it’s blue, or whatever. If you overtake in a different corner and you touch the green, you need to give up the position. So he knew exactly where to overtake!”
Jack Miller: “It’s a racing incident. Last lap battle. If you would like to have a look at Zarco or me on the last lap at Turn 14 or Di Giannantonio or Mir at Turn 14… that’s racing. It happens throughout the whole grid. It’s the last lap of a race.”
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing): “I have no words really, because one rider touched the other one, and both riders went out of the track”
Here is the pass: https://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2024/09/22/last-lap-relive-the-controversial-last-lap-between-bastianini-and-martin/508839
Here’s how MotoGP Emilia Romagna GP panned out
[Note: The story is as per press release]