Four flyaway races to kick off 2013 MotoGP campaign?

The European phase of the 2013 MotoGP world championship might not get underway until round five, with flyaway double headers in Qatar and India and then Argentina and Texas potentially kicking off next season.

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta has confirmed to MCN that Qatar’s night race is likely to remain the traditional season opener, quickly followed by a first visit to the Buddh International Circuit in India.

The championship could then move to Argentina for the first race at the new Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo before heading to Texas for the inaugural MotoGP race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

Having Qatar and India back-to-back and Argentina before heading straight to North America for Texas would drastically cut freight and travel costs for teams.

Ezpeleta told MCN: “Texas is almost fixed and we are just organising the final details. Argentina is fixed and a delegation will come to Assen. And we are finalising the discussions with India. For sure Texas and Argentina are on the calendar for 2013 and perhaps India.

“Texas will happen in April because it’s too hot in July and August.  Most probably the championship will open in Qatar but it depends on India, though it is better to run India and Qatar together. Then we would like to do Argentina and Texas in April before we start the European season in Jerez, if that race happens.”

Ezpeleta made a surprise admission that America would not have three races in 2013, even though Laguna Seca and Indianapolis have agreements up to and including the 2014 campaign.

Contractual issues that have blighted the Texas Formula One race had seemed to put the Circuit of the Americas race in doubt, but if that goes ahead as Ezpeleta expects, then it appears Laguna Seca or Indianapolis will fall off the schedule.

A new three-year deal with Indianapolis was only signed last August while Laguna Seca management signed a six-year deal with Dorna back in 2008.

“There will not be three races in America, “he said.  “I think there will be two and we are talking about that.”

Whether the series remains in its current 18-round format depends on the number of races run in the Iberian peninsular.

The Portugal round at Estoril seems certain to be bumped off the calendar while Catalunya and Motorland Aragon are secured as two of four potential Spanish rounds.

Ezpeleta added: “With Jerez we have an agreement but the regional government has changed and we have to respect the new government. Most probably there will not be a problem but it is not signed yet. Valencia we need to talk again but it is difficult to maintain four races in Spain.”