MotoGP could be set for a return to Hungary in 2022 after a preliminary five-year agreement was announced to stage a grand prix at a new circuit.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Hungarian government and Dorna Sports, promoter and commercial rights-holder of the motorcycling championship, that would see MotoGP race in the country from 2022 to 2026, subject to the promoter’s contract being signed before the end of February.
The two parties said the host venue for the grand prix event will be a new circuit, likely in the east of the country. László Palkovics, Hungary’s Minister for Innovation and Technology, recently presented plans to parliament and a final decision on the location for the new event and venue is expected early next year.
Palkovics (right of picture) said: “Soon, a strategy for the development of Hungarian motorsports will be submitted to the government; this strategy will include numerous objectives and measures, and – in addition to success in the sport and its impact on tourism – it is also needed because the industry has a dominant impact on the success of the Hungarian economy.
“The key areas of intervention are the development of Hungaroring and the domestic sports infrastructure, in which a new circuit and MotoGP event will play a key role.”
Located outside Budapest, the Hungaroring, current host of Hungary’s annual Formula 1 grand prix, has staged MotoGP’s two previous races in the country, in 1990 and 1992. MotoGP had planned to return to Hungary in 2010, but was forced to abandon this effort when the development of the proposed new Balatonring circuit in Savoly was affected by the global financial crisis in 2008.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, said: “I am very proud to be able to announce negotiations for another addition to the future MotoGP calendar and continue to see our sport grow and develop across the world.
“A new race – and circuit – in Hungary is an exciting prospect for us all and brings MotoGP back to a country with a great tradition in racing in which we’re excited to see MotoGP play a key role going forward.”
Image: Government of Hungary
