The MotoGP event in India was always expected to be challenging. Between customs issues, tax problems (with riders even being asked to pay a portion of the taxes for their salaries), a circuit still awaiting FIM homologation (expected to arrive a day before the bikes hit the track), and various other unforeseen issues, the stop at the Buddh Circuit has proven to be a real ordeal for the teams.
As anticipated, complications are arising daily, and the latest concerns the entry visas. Dorna, the championship organizer, had an agreement with local authorities to simplify these formalities, but the results have not been as hoped.
Speedweek contacted several team managers who revealed a rather uncomfortable situation. Aki Ajo, head of two of the most important Moto3 and Moto2 teams, stated, “we are still waiting for some visas. Some team members couldn’t leave on the originally booked flights.”
He’s not the only one facing this issue. Peter Oettl, six hours before departure, had not yet received the necessary documents. Jens Hainbach, Vice President of Racing for the Pierer Mobility Group (which includes brands like KTM, GasGas, and Husqvarna), informed that “none of us have an electronic visa yet, and about 50 of us are leaving tomorrow.”
The anticipated disaster seems to be unfolding, with the local agency apparently unable to handle all the visa requests for the MotoGP personnel (around 2,000 people are expected in the paddock). “We have to issue all visas by hand, one by one,” was the inside information gathered by Speedweek.
India is a crucial market for the motorcycle industry, but organizing a Grand Prix is proving to be a very complex task. With only a few days left for its debut on the calendar, doubts still outweigh certainties.