MotoGP preparing for 'closed-doors' races

When and where the 2020 MotoGP season will start remains unclear but plans are being put in place for 'closed doors' events, with no fans and only essential staff at the circuit.

In order to try and get government approval for such a move, MotoGP would need to provide authorities with an exact figure of how many people would be present and, probably, where they would be travelling from.

For that reason, an email was sent to teams earlier this week requesting a list of the minimum staff they would require to safely take part in a closed-door event in Europe.

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta told AS.com: "We are preparing a protocol together with the relevant authorities, for example the Sports Council in Spain and Italian Olympic Committee, in addition to different laboratories… with which to control the entire grand prix paddock.

"We have already commissioned through a company that is owned by Bridgepoint [also owner of Dorna] the possibility of having 10,000 coronavirus tests, to test the entire MotoGP family before and after each day.

"In the scenario that we now contemplate, there would be closed-door races with the least possible personnel at the circuits for everyone, teams and organisation."

Previous estimates have suggested a total of around 1,000 core staff would still be required for a closed-door event.

Ezpeleta revealed that replies from the teams have so far indicated "40 people per MotoGP factory team and 25 per satellite" as a minimum, although some staff members would be working for both.

Hospitality, sponsors, PR and media would not be present, although TV companies might be allowed one person at the track and the rest based in a studio.

Despite the German Grand Prix, currently listed as the opening round on June 21, stating it would request a new date due to the country's extended ban on large public gatherings, Ezpeleta hasn't yet ruled out holding Sachsenring as a closed-doors round.

“On the 27th [April] we will speak with Germany and the Netherlands [Assen] to see what the scenario is [for the races] at the end of June. Then the next one is in July, Finland, but that is complicated by homologation issues.

"Depending on whether or not Germany can race without spectators, we will consider things from there. The most optimistic scenario would be to start in Germany, which I see as difficult, but we have to wait.

"The other would be to start in July by relocating some of the races that have been postponed, but we still cannot propose anything at this stage. Of course, it is a decision that at the latest should be made in May, to have a month and a half to organise [an event]. "