MotoGP: Updated testing schedule

The MotoGP testing schedule has been subject to change following from the cancellation of all testing at Sepang, Malaysia.

In light of restrictions in place to contain the virus in Malaysia, the annual MotoGP testing regime has been forced to adapt to the new climate which revolves around COVID-19 and the control it has over our sports and the world, this means that all testing which was previously set to take place in Malaysia has now been cancelled. On the 11th January, the Malaysian government announced a new set of restrictions which has affected the MotoGP testing schedule which includes banning of interstate travel and possible police permission to even travel to the airport to board a flight.

This is not forgetting that entry to Malaysia for people who do not hold a Malaysian passport is prohibited, there are of course exceptions to this ruling however there is also a 10-day quarantine forced upon anyone who travels to Malaysia, this quarantine consists of quarantining in a designated government facility, the costs for this will paid for by the user and not the government meaning this could be an incredibly time consuming and costly process for MotoGP and the hundreds of people involved in MotoGP testing.

In Qatar however, the restrictions are more relaxed and allow for people to travel to the country and move much more freely around which aids MotoGP in their testing schedule, therefore the official testing and the Shakedown test have been moved to the Losail International Circuit and will be held in March alongside the Qatar test which will also go ahead as planned and will allow the teams to adjust and prepare for the 2021 season giving the rookies more seat time also.

The new testing schedule is as follows:

3rd-4th March: Setup
5th March: Shakedown Test – rookies and test riders only
6th-7th March: Official Test
10th-12th March: Official Test

Featured image – HRC