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The Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas has been postponed to November 13 through 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. round of the MotoGP world championship was originally scheduled to be the third race in the series, but now it has followed the fate of the first two, which were canceled (Qatar) and postponed (Thailand).
Originally scheduled for April 3 through 5 at the Circuit of the Americas, the U.S. round was done in by the combination of travel restrictions in Italy, where many teams are based, and growing concerns about the spread of the virus in Austin, Texas. The city took the step of canceling the SXSW Festival earlier.
Travel restrictions have been imposed throughout Italy, the country in Europe that's been hardest hit by the outbreak, and the FIM had previously said that if Italian teams could not participate, the races would not go on. The MotoGP race at the first round in Qatar was canceled and the second round in Thailand has been moved to October 4 — for now.
In Italy, where motorcycle racers are stars, riders such as Andrea Dovizioso have been pressed into the duty of helping spread advice about slowing the spread of the virus.
Le distanze non devono separarci. Anche se sei giovane è il momento di rispettarle. Allunga un braccio verso l’altro e sembrerà quasi di toccarci. #DistantiMaUniti #IoRestoACasa pic.twitter.com/JPwE4uo2mn
— Andrea Dovizioso (@AndreaDovizioso) March 9, 2020
The fast-changing situation has the entire season in doubt. The schedule has already been changed several times.
1st image that pops up when you google search Sad and @MotoGP is this one
— Tammy Gorali (@tammygorali) March 10, 2020
I would say it really defines the mood right now@lorenzo99 pic.twitter.com/blunJcnLPU
With more countries wanting in on MotoGP's global popularity, series organizer Dorna has been adding to the calendar. This season was supposed to include 20 races, which some felt pushed teams to their limits. How many will actually take place now is anyone's guess. Dorna is supposed to put on at least 13 races for the world championship and FIM President Jorge Viegas said in an interview with Catalunya Radio that a variety of options may be considered to ensure that happens. Those options include having a race with no spectators, having two races in one weekend at the same track or replacing a canceled event with a race in Portugal, which is not currently on the calendar.
"In the current situation, nothing is taboo," Viegas said. "You have to be flexible and have imagination."
