2019 'realistic' for Indonesia MotoGP

Circuit designer Hermann Tilke believes the proposed Palembang track would be ready to host an Indonesian MotoGP round in 2019.

The country is a key market for MotoGP and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has indicated it will be granted a return to the calendar once the necessary circuit and infrastructure requirements are met.

Indonesia's first option was to upgrade Sentul, which hosted the most recent Indonesian round in 1997.

However the project stalled and focus has switched to the creation of a brand new circuit in Palembang, South Sumatra, which will benefit from infrastructure development tied in with the 2018 Asian Games.

Tilke, hired to design and construct the proposed Palembang track, told Speedweek.com that 2019 is "realistic" for an Indonesian MotoGP:

"Whether it actually takes place in 2019 or 2020, I cannot say. But from our side as builder, 2019 is realistic."

Following China's exit in 2008, Japan and Malaysia have been the only MotoGP rounds in Asia, albeit with Thailand confirmed as joining the calendar next season.

Thailand's arrival creates 19-rounds, one less than the maximum of 20 events agreed under the present commercial contract between the MotoGP teams and Dorna.

With Finland also due on the calendar in 2019, Indonesia's long-awaited return could mean the departure of an existing event, while official pre-season tests could also be reduced.