Dorna CEO Carmeol Ezpeleta says the Indonesia Grand Prix will be a “very special” event and an “important” one for the future of MotoGP.
MotoGP is due to race at purpose-built Mandalika street circuit on the island of Lombok from 2021, marking the first grand prix to take place in Indonesia since 1997, when the event was held at Sentul.
South East Asia is a massive market for motorcycles, and Dorna has been keen to capitalise on this, with MotoGP racing in Thailand for the first time last year, while Malaysia has been a fixture on the calendar since 1991.
Speaking at a press conference during the Qatar Grand Prix, Ezpeleta said: “In 1996 and 1997 in Jakarta, at Sentul, we have been missing the possibility to be in Indonesia.
“It's one of the biggest motorcycle countries in the world. We knew that motorsport and especially motorcycling, MotoGP, is a very important sport in Indonesia.
“And since that moment, we were thinking of many possibilities to do it. In fact, many years ago, we were with the government of Indonesia trying to reach the possibility, and until now it has not been possible.
“The Indonesia Grand Prix will be something very particular. I visited the venue last summer, and it will be something very, very special.
“We are very glad this is a possibility, and for us it's a very important step for the future of MotoGP.
“If everything is going well, we will be in Indonesia in 2021.”
Construction of the 4.3km circuit and resort has already begun, with $25million having already been spent on “basic infrastructure”.
The Mandalika circuit will be the first street race for MotoGP, though Managing Director of Mrk1 Consulting Mark Hughes insists the circuit will be “built to the appropriate FIM safety standards”.
“When we announced the project, there was a reasonable amount scepticism,” said Hughes.
“But we have to make it very clear that the track has been designed and will be built to the appropriate FIM safety standards for MotoGP.
“But outside of the MotoGP race event, this infrastructure will revert back to public roads for the resort.”
As well as MotoGP, Dorna also agreed a three-year deal to bring its sister series World Superbikes to Indonesia for the 2021 season.
