The historic TT Circuit Assen will continue in MotoGP until 2031, hosting the Dutch Grand Prix. The renewal for a five-year period was announced this Thursday. The previous contract was valid until 2026.
An essential part of the championship, Assen is the only circuit that has hosted the championship every year since its first season in 1949 – except in 2020 due to the pandemic. But the “Cathedral” has an even longer history, with the first TT dating back to 1925 – the centenary will be celebrated next year.
The CEO of Dorna, Carmelo Ezpeleta, highlighted Assen’s tradition, as well as the characteristics of the circuit itself as reasons for its continued presence on the calendar:
– We are very pleased to announce the long-term future of Assen on the calendar. It was part of the first Grand Prix racing season in 1949 and no one else has been with us over these 75 years of racing that we celebrate in 2024. That is unique, but we do not return just for the history or the statistics. Competing in Assen, even 100 years after the first races were held in the area, is still something special and only gets better. It is a fantastic, modern infrastructure that continues to give us incredible races and iconic moments, and there is no better mix than the most exciting sport in the world competing at one of the greatest venues.
On behalf of Assen, the circuit president, Arjan Bos, commented: ‘We are incredibly pleased with this contract renewal, especially now that MotoGP is developing strongly. This reaffirms TT Assen’s status as a highlight on the MotoGP calendar. We are proud to continue building the future of motorsport together‘.
