MotoGP: Grand Prix of Finland postponed until 2023

The Finnish Grand Prix has been postponed until 2023 due to homologation and the ongoing geopolitical issues between Russia and Ukraine.

The all-new KymiRing circuit was supposed to host the first Finnish GP in 38 years back in 2020, but was delayed until last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, travel restrictions in 2021 caused another postponement until this season.

A statement from FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports said:

“Homologation works at the KymiRing, together with the risks caused by the ongoing geopolitical situation in the region, have sadly obliged the cancellation of the Finnish Grand Prix in 2022.

“The current circumstances have created delays and put the ongoing work at the new circuit at risk. All parties have therefore agreed that the track’s debut must be postponed to 2023, when MotoGP looks forward to returning to Finland for the first time in four decades.”

The last Finnish GP round took place at Imatra in 1982, with the 125cc, 250cc and 350cc classes taking part. The last 500cc race took place the year prior, with Marco Lucchinelli winning the race for Suzuki. The Italian went on to win the title and has since been inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame.

Finland is one of the countries which shares a border with Russia and tensions are rising after the former’s decision to apply for NATO membership following the invasion of Ukraine.

As a result of the postponement the 2022 calendar has been reduced to 20 races – which is still the largest campaign in the history of MotoGP.

The removal of Finland also means that there’s now a six-week summer break between the Dutch TT at Assen on June 26 and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone August 7.