With the 2020 MotoGP season finally out of the way, Dorna is currently working hard to make sure that they’ll be able to organise the Sepang Test aka “Winter Test”, which is set for the 2021 first pre-season test this coming February.
Dorna is in discussion with the Malaysian government together with the International Race Teams’ Association (IRTA) and Petronas SRT team principal, Dato’ Razlan Razali. Their proposal? The proven MotoGP ‘bubble’ system implemented by Dorna throughout the 2020 season.
Dorna hopes that all vital members of the MotoGP paddock will be allowed to enter Malaysia with softer restrictions by implementing the bubble method, which means that their presence will only be contained within the paddock and place of stay (most likely Sama-Sama Hotel near KLIA).
COVID-19 tests will be carried out throughout the period to ensure that anyone who’s positive can be isolated and treated quickly without affecting the rest in the MotoGP said bubble. It’s not going to be easy, but MotoGP and other organisations like the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) have proven that the bubble system works, regardless of the location.
If all goes well, the Sepang Test will take place on 19-21 February 2021, quickly followed by Qatar from 10-12 March 2021 before the first round of the season takes place at the end of the same month. While the COVID-19 pandemic is still at a high, it is most likely that some races will be postponed or cancelled. Stay tuned for more updates.
