Argentina dropped from 2013 MotoGP calendar

Argentina’s bid to be back on the MotoGP calendar next season for the first time since 1999 has been scuppered.

The new Autodromo de Rio Hondo track was pencilled in to host round two of the 2013 world championship on April 14.

But Dorna has today (Friday) confirmed that the race will not go ahead and as a result the first round in Qatar, which was scheduled to take place on March 31, will now be moved one week later to April 7, as was revealed by MCN over five weeks ago.

The Argentina race has been in serious doubt for months from the moment an advisory from the Spanish government was issued warning against Repsol staff and associates from travelling to Argentina remains in place after the Argentinian government nationalised Repsol YPF, the Argentinian subsidiary of the Spanish oil company.

Today’s statement from Dorna read: “The Gran Premio de la República Argentina, which was set to take place at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit early next year, has not been included on the 2013 calendar.

“On June 20th 2012, the Spanish government recommended that teams and riders sponsored by Repsol should not travel to the República Argentina due to safety reasons.

“Therefore, the celebration of the 2013 Gran Premio de la República Argentina remained under suspension until such recommendation would be kept in force. The deadline for Dorna Sports, commercial rights holder of the MotoGP™ World Championship, to officially propose the 2013 MotoGP calendar to FIM was November 18th.

“On November 20th, the Spanish government notified through email sent to Dorna Sports the withdrawal of the above referred recommendation, when the time for the calendar presentation had already expired and therefore, there was no possibility to include a new MotoGP event.

“Anyhow, Dorna Sports commits itself to include Gran Premio de la República Argentina on the 2014 calendar and onwards, to be approved by FIM subject to the homologation of the track which presumably shall take place within the first quarter of 2013.

“Dorna Sports recognizes the Gran Premio de la República Argentina Promoter´s efforts regarding the satisfactorily termination of the construction works and the organization and promotion preliminary activities.”

Revised 2013 MotoGP calendar

April 7 Losail International Circuit – Qatar*
April 21 Circuit of the Americas – USA
May 5 Jerez – Spain (subject to contract)
May 19 Le Mans – France
June 2 Mugello – Italy
June 16 Catalunya – Spain
June 29 Assen – Holland**
July 7 Sachsenring – Germany
July 21 Laguna Seca – USA***
August 18 Indianapolis – USA
August 25 Brno – Czech Republic
September 1 Silverstone – UK
September 15 Misano – Italy
September 29 Motorland Aragon – Spain
October 13 Sepang – Malaysia
October 20 Australia – Phillip Island
October 27 Twin Ring Motegi – Japan
November 10 Valencia – Spain

* Night race
** Saturday race
***MotoGP class only