A number of riders and team officials heading to the first MotoGP round in India, including six-time champion Marc Marquez, are awaiting their visas ahead of this weekend’s race. Repsol Honda Team sources confirmed to PTI that the arrival of riders Marquez and Joan Mir in India has been postponed due to visa issues. Both Spanish drivers were due to attend a promotional event near Delhi on Wednesday, but that visit has now been canceled.
“The riders are yet to reach India due to visa issues. So there was no option but to cancel tomorrow’s event,” a source told PTI.
Dorna Sports are the organizers and rights holders of the event. Fairstreet Sports is the local promoter of the event.
Sources in Fairstreet told PTI that around 1,800 visas had to be applied for for paddock staff but a technical glitch in the application system caused the delay. However, sources said that as of Tuesday, most visas have been issued, barring a few for which proper documentation is missing.
“The visas were applied for on September 5, but a technical fault on the part of the travel agency caused a delay. Until yesterday, there were 600 pending visa applications, most of which have now been approved, including Marquez’s visa.
“There are few people left who have not filled the form properly. There is nothing you can do about that as you have to follow the laws of the land. Majority of the team officials and riders are already here,” the source said.
India is hosting an event of this magnitude for the first time since the now defunct Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix. The race was dropped from the calendar after the 2013 season due to financial, fiscal and bureaucratic problems.
Dorna and Fairstreet have signed a seven-year MoU for the race in India, but the future of the event depends hugely on how this weekend unfolds.
Later in the day, the initiators also officially said that they hope to resolve the matter as soon as possible.
“We have been informed of the current issue of delays in the visa issuance process. We would like to share that we have been working relentlessly to resolve the same in the best possible manner. Nearly 500 visas have been approved and a large number will happen soon,” said a statement from the initiators.
“The dedicated teams are doing everything they can to ensure that visas are issued to every rider, team and technical officials as quickly as possible. This incident was unexpected and we are doing everything we can to address it immediately.
“We are confident that all pending visas will be processed and that all race personnel required for the race will reach India in a timely and safe manner,” the statement said.
The race promoters have also thanked all relevant authorities for their support and cooperation.
“We understand the importance of a seamless experience for all participants and attendees and encourage everyone to be patient and work with us and the teams. We are extremely grateful to the Government of India, MEA, MHA and the UP Government for their continued support and coordination.” Earlier this year, India hosted its first FIA World Championship status in 10 years when the Formula E race was held in Hyderabad. The championships are unlikely to return next year after failing to find a place on the provisional 2024 calendar.
Formula E was not happy with the way the local organizers postponed preparations until the very last minute.
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