After the events of last year both on and off the track , and global appetite for the current campaign seems higher than ever in regard to the 2021 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship . We cannot ignore that the Coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) pandemic continues to have an impact on the current series , with it forcing changes to the 2021 calendar to date , but despite these ongoing challenges there is real optimism that over the coming months conditions will continue to improve and that we can all enjoy a full as possible programme of racing .
The series kicked off in late March with backto-back rounds at the Losail International Circuit , Qatar before then heading back to Europe for the following events in Portugal – Portimao ; Spain – Jerez , and France – Le Mans . Next up was Italy - Mugello ; Spain – Barcelona ; Germany – Sachsenring and the Netherlands – Assen before the summer break .
The double encounter in Austria – Red Bull Ring marks the start of the second half of the season ahead of Great Britain – Silverstone that will bring August to a close . September will signal the end of the current European leg with races in Spain – Aragon and Italy – Misano before the riders and teams head further afield for the next four high speed encounters , health conditions allowing .
Missing from the final 2020 schedule due to COVID-19 it is great to see the United States – Circuit of the Americas and Malaysia – Sepang back as part of the 2021 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship . Currently as has become traditional for so many years Valencia – Spain will be the setting for the season finale in mid-November , but not before the series has visited the Autodromo do Algarve – Portugal for a second time in 2021 . This scheduled also takes note that all avenues will be explored to reschedule the race in South America – Argentina and the fact that we truly hope that we will be able to welcome fans trackside at as many races as is safely possible during the second part of the season .
2021 started with a new name as FIM World Champion , with Joan Mir looking to defend the crown that he captured late last year after a disrupted but nevertheless enthralling title fight that swung several ways during an intense second part of the season . There were no less than nine different winners in the premier class in 2020 , and have already been five this season to date . Factoring in this , and riders recovering from injury , those who have changed teams and those desperate to make their mark , 2021 is already shaping up to be another memorable season of Grand Prix racing as it celebrates its seventy-second edition .
I have every faith , as was shown last year and this season to date , that all the stakeholders will continue to work closely together and collaborate in the best possible way to deliver another hugely successful FIM MotoGP™ World Championship . With this in mind , on behalf of the FIM , I would like to thank our promoter Dorna , the manufacturers , the riders , the teams , the circuit owners , the volunteers , the media and the officials , and all those involved in the wider Road Racing Grand Prix community . Together I am sure you will make 2021 one of the best seasons ever .
Jorge Viegas FIM President
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