Amid speculations and deliberations, MotoGP has finally confirmed its race in India for the upcoming season. India is set to make its debut on the calendar with the Buddh International Circuit set to host the event.
To be dubbed “Grand Prix of Bharat“, the elite motorcycle sport will finally set foot in a country where ‘75% of the vehicles plying on the road are two-wheelers’. Took a bit too long, but we’ll take it.
At a time when motorsport’s fever in India is at a steep upward gradient, MotoGP has decided to bring the sport in the country and capitalise on the fact. Fairstreet Sports, India’s organiser for the event, was reported to be in advanced talks with MotoGP’s promoter Dorna for a contract of 7 seasons, with the first event now confirmed for as early as next year. The provisional calendar for 2023 states 22nd-24th September for the Bharat Grand Prix.
About Buddh International Circuit (BIC):
Located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, the 5.125km long BIC is India’s only FIA Grade-1 circuit (grade 1 circuits have appropriate amenities for the highest of profiled motorsport events like Formula 1). F1 raced at the circuit from 2011 to 2013, with 4-time world champion Sebastian Vettel winning all three editions for Red Bull, while subsequent outings being called off owing to a tax dispute.
Among the community, the Buddh is considered to be one of the better tracks designed by ‘eminent’ track designer Herman Tilke. With a good mix of corners and high speed sections and sweeping banks, Lewis Hamilton even went lengths to compare this track to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
Although do note, Formula 1 and MotoGP vary immensely in terms of favourability to tracks. That said, MotoGP races are rarely boring, so the Bharat Grand Prix should hopefully not be a snoozefest. Formula 1 is still a long way from racing in the country again, but with baby steps like these, we are surely on the right track to host another Indian Grand Prix.
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