Brazil Dropped from 2014 MotoGP Calendar

MotoGP’s expected return to Brazil has been delayed for another year after the FIM officially confirmed it has been dropped from the definitive 2014 MotoGP calendar.

The event, which was planned to be held at the Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet circuit in the capital city Brasilia, was due to herald Brazil’s first MotoGP race since 2004 when the series raced in Rio de Janeiro at Jacarepaguá.

However, the venue – which is located close to Brasilia’s stadium for the upcoming FIFA World Cup – was always subject to homologation on provisional drafts of the calendar, with local rumours suggesting that construction to upgrade the grandstands and facilities was not on schedule. 

The result has left Brazil out of the final MotoGP calendar, with its original date of 28th September being granted to the Aragon Grand Prix, which moves a week from its original 21st September slot. It means the San Marino Grand Prix and the Aragon Grand will be two weeks apart, rather than there being three back-to-back races.

With Brazil not being replaced, the 2014 MotoGP calendar will once again comprise of 18 rounds and still include a new event in Argentina at the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo. Laguna Seca, however, has been removed.