As part of the growing calendar that is slated to include 20 races in 2022, MotoGP has gradually scaled back its pre-season testing schedule.
The traditional two-day test after the Valencia GP was canceled last year, while testing in February next year will only be five days – which is the same as the 2021 preseason, although MotoGP should last six days of testing in Malaysia and Qatar before COVID -19 influenced these plans.
The first test before the 2022 season will take place from February 5th to 6th in the Malaysian Grand Prix venue Sepang. A two-day shakedown for test drivers and rookies is planned for February 1st and 2nd.
MotoGP will then immediately head to the new Mandalika street course, which is set to host the Indonesian GP in 2022, for a three-day test from February 11th to 13th.
Therefore, there will be no pre-season test in Qatar before the season’s inaugural Grand Prix.
On Thursday, the Losail International Circuit confirmed on its social media platforms that the Qatar GP will open the 2022 season on the weekend of March 4-6.
The Moto2 and Moto3 classes will take part in a three-day test in Jerez from November 22nd to 24th.
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The company behind Mandalika Racetrack in Indonesia took center stage earlier this year when a United Nations report released findings of human rights abuses in the region related to the construction of the resort.
MotoGP had hoped to do a test on the track this year, but the COVID-19 pandemic ruled that out.
The pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the MotoGP 2021 calendar, with the Malaysia GP being the last to be canceled and off the schedule along with Australia, Japan and Thailand.
Despite a dire COVID situation in Austin, MotoGP is pushing ahead with its plans to host the Grand Prix of the Americas in Texas in early October.
The season end has also been changed, with a second Misano event replacing Malaysia, while MotoGP will return to Portugal for a second race in November a week before the Valencia finale.