MotoGP on winter racing: We can't spoil 2021

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta would rather hold a shorter 2020 MotoGP World Championship than race deep into the winter and create difficulties for the 2021 season.

After cancelling Qatar for the premier-class due to the coronavirus, new end-of-season dates were swiftly allocated for the following Thai, US and Argentinean rounds.

But that tactic came to an end when no new date was offered for the postponed Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez 'until it becomes clearer when exactly it will be possible to hold the event'.

Similar 'delayed, no known date' announcements are soon expected for the Le Mans (May 17) and Mugello (May 31) events.

Speaking to Mela Chercoles at AS.com, Ezpeleta explained that there is no point drawing up ever more revised race schedules until the start of the season becomes clear. And he confirmed that if racing is delayed much longer, some of the 19 rounds will be cancelled.

"It will depend a lot on when we can start," Ezpeleta said. "There are those that say you have to do a minimum of 13 races to make a World Championship, which is [not correct]… We will do what we can, without 'stressing' much more the final part of the season, which is already quite full."

Ezpeleta also revealed that he would prefer to have a shorter 2020 campaign to allow 2021 to go ahead as normal. The current revised calendar is due to end on November 29, but racing in December or even January has been suggested.

"We can't get too deep into the winter and spoil the 2021 season," he said. "Now, I insist, it will depend a lot on when we can start this year. We can also do a shorter season [this year], to do all rounds next year.

"We will see what situation we are in, because the world will not be the same after this [virus]. Now the main thing is that we recover well."

Ezpeleta added that Dorna is helping the teams financially during the ongoing hiatus, contributing 25,000 euros per rider for Moto2 and Moto3 teams and helping MotoGP teams pay wages.

The Spaniard expects such assistance to last for at least the next three months.