This year’s calendar was due to be the longest in history at 22 rounds, beginning on 10 March with the Qatar Grand Prix.
However, last week the third round of the season in Argentina looked under serious threat due to government spending cuts under the country’s new president.
As first reported by Motorsport.com, the cuts directly affect the race staged at Termas de Rio Hondo as the grand prix is heavily subsidised by the government.
On Wednesday 31 January, Dorna and MotoGP’s governing body the FIM confirmed that the Argentina GP has been struck from the 2024 calendar.
Argentina returned to the MotoGP calendar in 2014 at the Rio Hondo track and has been a mainstay on the schedule ever since – barring the two COVID years in 2020 and 2021.
The event has faced numerous hurdles over the last few years, first with a massive fire that gutted its pit complex at the start of 2021, and then with freight delays in 2022 that forced the first day of the grand prix to be iced.
The press release from the FIM and Dorna confirms that Argentina will not be replaced this year.
“The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports confirm the cancellation of the 2024 Argentina GP,” a statement read.
“Due to the current circumstances in Argentina, the promoter of the event has communicated that it is currently unable to guarantee the services required for the Grand Prix to take place in 2024 at MotoGP standards.
“This event will not be replaced on the 2024 calendar. MotoGP hopes to return to race at Termas de Rio Hondo in 2025.”
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Start line
Argentina had been due to form a back-to-back with the Americas GP in Texas, but now a three-week gap will split the Portuguese GP and the Austin round.
At present, there are no other calendar changes.
Should the rest of the calendar go ahead, 21 rounds will remain a record for MotoGP, with the addition of the inaugural Kazakhstan GP in June.
To be run at the new Sokol circuit, Kazakhstan is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 14-16 June.
Should any more rounds drop off the calendar, MotoGP does have a circuit on its reserve list that could be called upon should it meet homologation requirements.
The Balaton Park track in Hungary, opened last year, was announced late last year as a reserve venue for the 2024 MotoGP season.
MotoGP last visited Hungary in 1992 at the Hungaroring.
Full 2024 MotoGP calendar:
Source : Motorsport.com