2021 Sepang MotoGP pre-season tests officially cancelled

As a result of tightening Covid restrictions in Malaysia, the FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports have officially announced the cancellation of both the 2021 Sepang Shakedown and Official MotoGP Test.

The tests were set to be MotoGP's first non-European events since last February but would have required special permission from the Malaysian Government.

That had looked possible until the country's increasing Covid cases saw a state of emergency introduced today (January 12) plus stricter limits on movement.

"The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns and complications have obliged the cancellation of both events, which were set to take place at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia in February," read a statement from Dorna.

"The Qatar Test, currently set to take place at Losail International Circuit from the 10th to the 12th of March, continues to be confirmed and any further updates or changes will be provided as soon as available."

The Sepang test was due to be the scene of the first MotoGP laps for 2021 rookies Enea Bastianini, Luca Marini and Jorge Martin, Valentino Rossi's debut for Petronas and Cal Crutchlow's first laps as a Yamaha test rider.

Meanwhile, with Losail also due to hold the season-opening night race on March 28, the most likely scenario at present is that teams and riders will now remain in Qatar from the test until the race.

Changes to the provisional 2021 MotoGP calendar are all but certain. If the Qatar season-opener goes ahead as planned, most believe the next venue will be in Europe (perhaps after a Qatar double) with almost zero chance of either Argentina or Austin going ahead.