India to Host First MotoGP in 2023

Dorna Motorsports, owner of the MotoGP commercial rights worldwide, has announced the launch of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship in India next year. The company has signed a seven-year MoU with Indian race promoters Fairstreet Sports. The event is tentatively scheduled for September 22 – 24, 2023, at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida.

Formula 1 had left India after a three-year (2011-2013) stint despite a five-year contract due to financial, customs, and tax hurdles. The four-wheeled series was dragged through a lengthy legal battle as state authorities did not recognise it as a sport and imposed entertainment tax on their earnings for the three rounds they hosted, which created further logistical and financial hurdles for the organisers.

However, issues seem to have been resolved since with the recategorization of motorsport from entertainment to sport for tax purposes and the governing body of the sport in the country, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), being accredited as a National Sports Federation in 2015.