MotoGP in Talks to Return to China by 2027
MotoGP promoter dorna Sports has initiated plans to bring the Chinese Grand Prix back to the championship calendar, according to Motorsport.com sources.
China previously hosted MotoGP races between 2005 and 2008 at the Shanghai International Circuit.Victories where claimed by Valentino Rossi (2005 and 2008), Dani Pedrosa (2006), and Casey Stoner (2007).
after a 17-year absence, a Dorna executive delegation recently visited Shanghai to accelerate the return of MotoGP to the country. The potential comeback could occur as early as 2027.
The delegation was led by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and his son, Carlos, the championship’s sporting director. The visit, which took place between the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix in october, also included a stop at a CFMoto manufacturing facility – the Chinese brand currently partnered with KTM.
Dorna aims to avoid the issues that led to the premature end of the original contract, which was initially set to run until 2011.
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Start: Casey Stoner and Colin Edwards battle for the lead
Photo by: JiR
After a five-year hiatus, MotoGP returns to China this weekend with the inaugural Chinese grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. The event marks a important step in Dorna’s strategy to expand the championship’s reach into the Asian market.
The last time MotoGP raced in China was in 2019, also at the Shanghai circuit. However, the pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions forced the cancellation of the event for several years. Now, with restrictions lifted, Dorna has worked diligently with local authorities to bring the race back to the calendar.
The previous attempt to establish a consistent presence in China faced considerable challenges. Poor attendance and limited local interest – largely due to a lack of proper promotion – proved to be major hurdles. Adding to the complications,Yu Zhifei,the circuit’s former director,was later sentenced to four years in prison for embezzling roughly €100,000.
This time, Dorna and local authorities are understood to be pushing for a mixed organisational model involving several key stakeholders in both the event’s management and promotion.