Article: https://www.racesport.nl/grand-prix-of-india-kopzorgen-bureaucratie-en-veiligheid-issues/

Translation:

The Buddh International Circuit in India will be the host of the thirteenth round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship season from the 22nd to the 24th of September. It's the first time that the new circuit appears on the MotoGP calendar, but it's already clear that this (thirteenth) Grand Prix of the season is causing significant concerns for the organization, manufacturers, teams, and riders, even before any meters have been ridden.

Lately, the Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in India has been a frequent topic of discussion in the MotoGP paddock. Not only is the safety of the circuit still a major question mark, but also the bureaucracy, strict customs rules, and recently revealed tax regulations by the Indian government are causing frustration for all parties involved.

The number 13 is still considered unlucky by many, but with the thirteenth Grand Prix of the season taking place in India – a country that has recently surpassed the population of the People's Republic of China with 1,326,093,247 inhabitants, making it currently the most populous country in the world – many manufacturers, teams, and riders can attest to the challenges.

While many can understand the importance of the Asian market for the sport, the extensive work, tensions, and numerous uncertainties are currently causing significant stress within the paddock.

Filling out the many and often unclear customs papers might be the least of the concerns. The tax papers that need to be completed are much more troublesome. The local government has determined that taxes must be paid in India on earnings during the Grand Prix weekend. The extent of this requirement is now quite evident. For instance, if a MotoGP rider has a contract stating that they earn 8 million euros per year and also have 2 million euros in personal sponsor income (helmet, boots, etc.), with 20 Grand Prix weekends in 2023, the Indian authorities have decided that this rider should pay 1/20 of their income during the thirteenth Grand Prix weekend in their country. In other words, this rider earns 500,000 euros in India and needs to pay taxes (over 20%) before leaving the country after the Grand Prix on Sunday evening. It's not just the paperwork; none of the riders (as well as team bosses, managers, and other staff) are comfortable with this situation.

Aside from the financial aspect, this situation has led to numerous discussions, particularly among the manufacturers. They've had to establish dedicated financial departments solely for this single Grand Prix, departments responsible for mapping out all financial, legal, and tax-related aspects, as mistakes are not affordable. However, the greatest concern, and the current resistance against it, revolves around the mandatory requirement to disclose and provide all contract details of the riders. This poses a significant risk, as once all these details are submitted, an organization (or country) will possess complete contract details of the entire MotoGP field. This hasn't been the case so far, as no manufacturer or team wants their competitor to know the salary they pay to their riders. Another reason for caution is the potential misuse or abuse of these details, which could eventually leak out, become public, or be exposed.

Nevertheless, Dorna remains unwavering (they've already sent several employees to India to provide assistance in the emerging chaos over the coming weeks, offering support to gain more clarity on the situation), and the event must go on at all costs.

However, it's not only the strict entry and tax regulations that concern manufacturers, teams, and riders. The safety of the Indian circuit is still a crucial issue and a significant question mark.

During a visit by FIM Safety Officer Tome Alfonso in November 2022, several issues came to light that needed to be addressed since. Especially the run-off areas were found insufficient. It was agreed that the asphalt surfaces needed to be reduced in size at many places, and in turns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, and 14, they needed to be replaced with gravel strips.

Additionally, the curbstones were designed more for car racing and were unsuitable and too aggressive for motorcycles. According to the latest information, the changes have already been made, but the final approval will only come on Thursday on the eve of the Grand Prix weekend. This is a peculiar situation that doesn't seem to sit well with everyone, especially as photos have surfaced that suggest something different from the information provided by the organizers. Aprilia Racing rider Aleix Espargaró has legitimate doubts.

​

Aleix Espargaró: "A while ago, Massimo Rivola showed me a picture of the last corner. Right next to the track, there was a concrete wall. This area looked very narrow and tricky, almost like it is in Indianapolis, for example. I hope the responsible people will improve this situation. I want to trust them, and I want to trust Dorna too. So let's wait and see. But if there's still a wall there when we arrive, we won't ride there, no chance."

In any case, discussions about this quite remarkable and audacious move by Dorna will continue over the next few weeks. Normally, the Spanish rights holder constantly keeps an eye on developments within Formula 1. Maybe in this case, they should have done the same; after all, Formula 1 has previously visited the nearby Buddh International Circuit a few times, despite a five-year contract, it remained at three visits (2011, 2012, and 2013) due to – yes, you guessed it – bureaucracy. As if this wasn't enough, the FIM Superbike World Championship also had concrete plans to visit the circuit, but this event never happened due to – yes, you guessed it – the strict customs rules.

Certainly, the responsible individuals within Dorna must by now be scratching their heads as they seem to be constantly surprised by new, additional, and different rules imposed by the Indian authorities. Nevertheless, the big question is, who benefits from organizing a Grand Prix in this country. Despite the event likely generating substantial euros, currently none of the manufacturers, teams, and riders are eager to travel to the Grand Prix of India at the Buddh International Circuit.

How it all turns out and whether it will remain a one-time visit can be evaluated starting from Monday, September 25. However, it's already clear that the thirteenth Grand Prix of the 2023 MotoGP season will go down in history as one of the most talked-about, if not the most discussed Grand Prix weekend even before a single meter has been ridden.

​