MotoGP announces Brazilian round from 2022

MotoGP has confirmed an five-year agreement to see the return of the Brazilian round in 2022, with the race calendar set to expand to 22 races in total.

Last year Dorna signed a preliminary agreement for MotoGP to return to Brazil in 2021 with a new track being constructed in Rio de Janeiro with local company Rio Motorsport.

The all-new track will be constructed in Deodoro which will be a 4.5km circuit with a layout of seven left-handered and six right-handed corners with an approximate lap time for MotoGP bikes of 1m 38s. The circuit is expected to be completed by 2021.

Following delays in confirming a deal, the Brazilian round will return to the MotoGP race calendar from 2022 to mark the sport’s return to the South American country for the first time since 2004.

Jacarepagua hosted the Rio de Janeiro Grand Prix between 1995 and 2004, while the Brazilian Grand Prix took place at Goiania between 1987 and 1989 and Interlagos in 1992.

“The news that we already have a first competition for Rio's new racetrack, MotoGP, confirmed for 2022, represents a great advance for our city,” Marcelo Crivella, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, said. “The construction of the Deodoro racetrack is a spectacular project, with an extraordinary investment that will generate 7,000 jobs and make Rio regain the leading role in major competitions.

“We will take development to a region of the city with many needs, which is the West Zone, and stimulate tourism. All this without the city putting a penny into the project, since the whole investment will be the responsibility of the concessionaire.”

“I’m very proud to announce that MotoGP will be returning to race in Rio de Janeiro, one of the world’s truly iconic cities and in such an amazing country,” Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, added.

“Brazil is an important market for motorcycles, motorcycle racing and motorsport, with a history to be proud of – and a future that I’m excited to see MotoGP play such a vital part as we return in 2022.”

Brazil has previously targeted a return to the MotoGP calendar in 2014 only to see a deal fall through with Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet in Brasilia.