MotoGP: Hungaroring hoping to return to Grand Prix calendar

Hungary’s Hungaroring has set itself out to become one of a number of circuits to host MotoGP in the near future, with Chief Executive Officer Zsolt Gyulay telling local TV that he hopes to see the track return to the calendar for the first time since 1992 as they undergo extensive renovations.

Speaking as they prepare to start work aimed at bringing the track up to FIM standards, Gyulay says there’s no reason why the track can’t join the calendar as soon as 2018.

“During the construction, we will be in talks with the FIM in order to make the track eligible for MotoGP races.

“When we are in the planning process, and if there is a will from all sides, we need to turn the Hungaroring into a track, mainly with changes to turns and escape areas, which is eligible for motorcycle races. To have MotoGP the Hungarian government has to be on board, and we believe they are.”

However, while their will to run a round may be there, they may face opposition as they try to squeeze their way onto an already-crowded MotoGP calendar. Already 18 rounds long, the season is set to expand further in the coming years, with Finland recently signing a deal that looks set to make them the 19^th round of the year come 2018.

There’s also considerable pressure to expand the series more away from its traditional European base into the huge markets of South Asia, with Thailand looking set to join in the coming seasons and Indonesia clamouring to host a round too.