Estoril MotoGP remains in doubt

The Portuguese MotoGP round at the Estoril circuit, scheduled to take place on May 6, remains in doubt with no current agreement in place with rights owners Dorna.

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta confirmed to MCN in Italy last week during an appearance at Ducati’s 2012 MotoGP team launch that talks were on-going with Estoril management.

But the Spaniard confirmed no deal has been reached for the race, which is due to host the third round of the 2012 campaign and follow one week after the Jerez round.

The Portuguese economy has been ravaged by the global financial crisis and Ezpeleta told MCN: “Portugal has a lot of problems and we can’t force them.”

If a deal with Estoril is not concluced by next month, Ezpeleta confirmed that there would no replacement track and this year’s championship would be contested over 17 races, starting in Qatar on April 8.

He added: “If by February they do not confirm maybe there will be 17 races this year.”