As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has officially postponed the event of MotoGP Grand Prix event in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Indonesian officials are hoping to rev up preparations for the hosting of the world-class motorcycle racing event to next year.
The MotoGP event was initially scheduled to take place in November of this year.
The decision to postpone was announced last week, with representatives from the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), Dorna Sports, and Indonesian officials agreeing to use the Mandalika International Street Circuit for the first part of the 2022 racing season, which is scheduled for March.
“I fully support the MotoGP event to be held in March 2022. This is in line with the Indonesian government’s accelerated national vaccination program. We want to guarantee the safety of both domestic and international visitors,” Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir, said then.
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno echoed the sentiment yesterday, highlighting that this gives Indonesia even more time for preparation and promotion.
“This is our chance to maximize preparation, and to test the circuit. So we can be fully, truly prepared,” Sandiaga said.
During their visit to the Mandalika Circuit, FIM and Dorna Sports representatives said they were impressed with how the project has developed thus far as well as the safety standards implemented.
“The visit to Lombok was very successful and we can confirm that the Mandalika International Street Circuit will be one of the most important venues of the calendar in the future,” Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said.
