Absent from the Grand Prix calendar since Tamanda, Biaggi and Hayden took their podium positions 15 years ago, Brazil has secured a 5-year deal with Dorna to host the Brazilian GP at new venue Rio Motorpark – a 13-turn, 2.8-mile racetrack, not yet built.

Brazil has already staged some memorable moments in the history of MotoGP and is an exciting prospect for the sport, the country and the fans. Dorna CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta can’t wait to bring the series back to Brazil, telling us to consider the country’s passion for F1 and look no further.

“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,” he says.

Last held in 2004 at Jacarepaguea, which was demolished to make way for the Olympic Park, the Brazilian Grand Prix is branded an “advance for the city” by Marcelo Crivella, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, who claims it will bring in 7,000 jobs and a new surge of tourism.

Equally significant for Brazilian riders, the announcement of the Rio return was well received by MotoE title contender Eric Granado, who said it would be a dream to compete in the reinstated Grand Prix, and three-time race winner Alex Barros who said:

“We have waited a long time for this. For a Brazilian to ride at home is fantastic. The grandstand at the old circuit was a kilometre long and every time I went it past it there was a wave of noise. Despite the earplugs and engine noise, I could hear my people. I always got an extra push when riding at home.”

Current MotoGP rider, Morbidelli, can only wait in anticipation to race in his mother’s home country. Two years ago, his hope of a future Brazilian GP was just that, commenting: “Everybody knows my strong ties with this country and I feel the support of the Brazilian fans. I hope to be back soon, who knows if it can be for a MotoGP race.”
Expected to be one of 22 events set for the 2022 season, the Brazilian GP is an overdue and exciting expansion to the MotoGP calendar.