The MotoGP World Championship will continue to race in Argentina until at least 2021, after a new deal was struck between the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit and Dorna Sports.
MotoGP returned to Argentina, to which it visited on and off since 1961, back in 2014 at the then-newly-built Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, and has been a permanent feature ever since.
The event was rumoured to be under threat, with the event's current deal due to expire after next year's event, though a new two-year contract has now been put in place.
“We have announced the sixth consecutive Argentina Grand Prix at Termas de Rio Hondo and we’ve signed a contract extension for 2020 and 2021,” says Gerardo Zamora, Governor of Santiago del Estero.
“Dorna Sports has invested in us once again. We’re proud because a lot of passionate people have worked to achieve this.
“Work on the public infrastructure alongside private investment. And we’re happy because, at each race weekend, the amount of fans has increased, having a positive and specific impact on sport in the Termas de Rio Hondo economy and, more indirectly, in the region.
“Those who haven’t yet been able to make it to a Grand Prix in Argentina now have the chance to do so over the next three years to see the spectacular scope of a MotoGP event.”
Carles Jorba, Dorna Director of Operations added:“For the first time there has been continuity, because we’ve all worked on this a lot since 2014 when it began.
“This extension allows us to continue the work that has been done so far and to do that enthusiastically given the incredible importance of the Latin American market for MotoGP.
“The riders, the teams and partners feel that Termas de Rio Hondo is now well established, they like the track and the improvements made have been continuous and always positive.”
The '19 Argentine Grand Prix will form the second round of the new season, and will take place from March 29-31.
Currently, Argentina is MotoGP's only South American event, though this could change come '21, as a preliminary agreement is in place for the series to return to Brazil.
