The Iran war forces MotoGP to change its calendar – Marc Marquez warns that peace and security must be established in the region
Marc Marquez brought forward his trip to Brazil by a day to attend an event with one of his personal sponsors in Sao Paulo ahead of the new Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend in Goiania.
MotoGP is returning to the South American country after more than two decades and will be held at a completely rebuilt and modernized circuit, the Autodromo Ayrton Senna in Goiania. This is where the first three Grands Prix in Brazil took place between 1987 and 1989.
Although the track consists mainly of right-hand turns, Marquez, a proven specialist for counter-clockwise courses, hopes to call on his well-known strength and win the first race on a new track.
He succeeded in doing so last year at the premiere in Balaton Park and previously at the debuts of Buriram, Termas de Rio Hondo and Austin. “As soon as we arrived in Brazil, you can clearly feel the enthusiasm surrounding this event,” said Marquez at the event in Sao Paulo.
“The fact that MotoGP is returning to Brazil after so many years is something very positive for the championship and all the fans. To see that all the tickets are completely sold out shows how much anticipation there was for this return.“
”It will be an intense weekend and the aim is to be competitive from the first moment and give everything on the track,” says the Ducati rider. After the season opener in Thailand, Marquez traveled to Brazil in eighth place in the world championship.
When asked about the recent calendar changes due to the Iran war, which saw the races in Portimao and Valencia postponed to accommodate the Qatar Grand Prix at the end of the season, Marquez put peace in the region above all other concerns.
“The most important thing is to end the conflicts to ensure peace and security in these areas,” emphasized the 33-year-old. One week after the race in Brazil, the MotoGP moves on to the USA and holds the Grand Prix in Austin in the state of Texas.
Moreira excited about his home race
If Marquez embodies the present of MotoGP, then the young rookie Diogo Moreira is the most promising future for the championship. The young 2025 Moto2 World Champion also took part in the event in Sao Paulo.
“We’ve been talking about the Brazilian Grand Prix for many months and you can feel the anticipation,” emphasized the LCR Honda rider. “It’s something very special for me: even as a small child, I dreamed of racing MotoGP at home.”
“For this to become a reality this season is incredible. I believe that all Brazilian fans are experiencing this with the same emotions. The fact that the tickets are sold out shows how much they have wanted our return.“
”It will be a very intense and emotional weekend,” said Moreira, referring to the hype surrounding him. “We are only at the second race of the year, so the aim is to continue to understand the bike better and adapt to the class step by step.”
“Nevertheless, we will arrive motivated and with a lot of self-confidence. A home race always gives you an extra boost and we will do everything we can to make sure the fans have fun.” In his first Grand Prix in the premier class, Moreira finished 13th in the championship points.
