The Argentina GP at Termas de Rio Honda was scheduled to symbolize the third spherical of the 2024 MotoGP season. Nevertheless, on 31 January it was formally cancelled by collection promoter Dorna Sports activities.
As a result of harsh authorities spending cuts imposed by Argentina’s new president Javier Milei, the grand prix – which receives appreciable public funding – couldn’t be staged.
Has the Argentina GP been cancelled earlier than?
That is the third time in recent times that the Argentina GP has been scrubbed from the MotoGP schedule.
In 2020, the race was compelled off the calendar as a result of outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and couldn’t be staged in 2021 as a result of ongoing journey restrictions in place due to the virus.
The one race to be staged outdoors of Europe in 2021 was the Americas Grand Prix in Texas, which was held in October of that yr.
The 2021 Argentina GP would seemingly have confronted bother even with out the COVID pandemic, nevertheless, as a serious hearth wrecked the pit complicated constructing early that yr.
When was the final Argentina GP staged?
Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Staff
Picture by: Media VR46
MotoGP raced in Argentina in 2023, with VR46 Ducati rider Marco Bezzecchi scoring a maiden victory.
The occasion was additionally staged in 2022, although was lower down to 2 days as delays in freight arriving from Indonesia meant follow couldn’t be staged on the Friday. Aprilia and Aleix Espargaro scored an historic maiden MotoGP victory that yr in Sunday’s grand prix.
Except for the 2020 and 2021 cancellations, the Argentina GP at Termas de Rio Honda had been staged yearly since 2014, when the occasion returned to the calendar following a 15-year hiatus.
Previous to 2014, the Argentina GP was staged 10 occasions between the collection’ first go to to the nation in 1961 and 1999.
These races had been held on the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galves within the nation’s capital of Buenos Aires.
Who has probably the most wins on the Argentina GP?
As a result of occasion’s sporadic appearances on the MotoGP calendar earlier than discovering permanency in 2014, nobody rider has proved completely dominant.
Tom Phillis, Hugh Anderson, Mick Doohan and Marc Marquez all have probably the most grand prix wins within the nation at three, although solely five-time 500cc world champion Doohan and six-time MotoGP champion Marquez’s wins had been within the premier class.
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Manufacturing unit Racing
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has two grand prix wins in Argentina, the primary within the 250cc class in 1998 simply two years into his GP profession, and in 2015 within the MotoGP class.
When MotoGP returned to Argentina in 2014, Rossi was the one rider on the grid to have beforehand raced within the nation.
Argentinian Jorge Kissling was the primary premier class winner of the his dwelling GP in 1961 on a Matchless, earlier than countryman Benedictor Caldarella took the honours the next yr – additionally on a Matchless.
Mike Hailwood gained on an MV Agusta in 1963, which was the final Argentina GP till 1981 – although no 500cc (MotoGP as it’s recognized at this time) race was held that season.
In 1982, Kenny Roberts took a Yamaha to the highest class win. The subsequent Argentina GP got here in 1987, gained by Yamaha’s Eddie Lawson. Then one other hole adopted till 1994, with Doohan profitable on a Honda on his approach to that yr’s championship.
He did the identical the yr after, with Kenny Roberts Jr on a Suzuki profitable the following Argentina GP in 1999.
Since its return in 2014, MotoGP wins have been shared between Marquez (2014, 2016, 2019), Rossi (2015), Maverick Vinales (2017), Cal Crutchlow (2018), Espargaro (2022) and Bezzecchi (2023).
Honda is probably the most profitable producer in Argentina, profitable a complete of 20 grands prix throughout the MotoGP/500cc, 250cc and Moto3/125cc lessons. The subsequent-best producer is Kalex, whose chassis have gained each single Moto2 grand prix to be staged at Termas de Rio Hondo – a complete of eight occasions.
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing Staff
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
How lengthy will MotoGP race in Argentina?
Argentina’s present cope with MotoGP organiser Dorna Sports activities runs to the top of 2025.
Nevertheless, as a result of governmental scenario within the nation, it’s unclear if MotoGP can return to Argentina subsequent yr.
Will the 2024 MotoGP Argentina GP get replaced?
On 31 January 2024, Dorna Sports activities introduced that Argentina could be struck from the calendar and wouldn’t get replaced.
Initially scheduled at 22 rounds, the 2024 season will now solely function 21 occasions – though this may nonetheless be a report for the collection, offering there are not any additional alterations.
