The first Finnish MotoGP event in four decades will be bumped back to 2023 as a result of the new KymiRing venue having not completed homologation, it was announced Wednesday.
The return to Finland for motorcycle grand prix racing has hit yet another snag following yet another delay to the event as a result of “homologation problems” for the KymiRing circuit – as well as the country currently facing a “geopolitical situation” amid the Russia/Ukraine war that is holding up further progress on the venue – with a 2023 date now set for the first Finnish GP since 1982.
A short statement released by MotoGP organisers Dorna Sports on Wednesday morning confirmed the news, the Spanish organisation also revealing that it will not replace the canned contest – thus leaving the 2022 calendar at 20 races.
“Homologation works at the KymiRing, together with the risks caused by the ongoing geopolitical situation in the region, have sadly obliged the cancellation of the Finnish Grand Prix in 2022,” began Dorna’s statement.
“The current circumstances have created delays and put the ongoing work at the new circuit at risk.
“All parties have therefore agreed that the track’s debut must be postponed to 2023, when MotoGP™ looks forward to returning to Finland for the first time in four decades.
“The final 2022 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship calendar is therefore expected to comprise 20 rounds.”
The return of the Finnish GP was originally meant to be held back in 2019, before the decision was made to push it back a year due to the track not being fully completed – although a MotoGP test was held there in the August of ’19.
The 2020 and 2021 events were then both axed as a result of Covid-19 and the accompanying travel restrictions.
The loss of the Finland GP effectively means a longer summer break for the MotoGP fraternity, with a six-week break now separating the Dutch TT at Assen towards the end of the June and the British GP at Silverstone in early August.
