MotoGP releases 2022 provisional calendar
The FIM MotoGP World Championship has released a provisional calendar for the 2022 season, with the upcoming year’s schedule marking a return to normality after two years impacted by COVID-19.
Announced on 7 October, the provisional 2022 calendar comprises 21 rounds - the longest season ever. Importantly, the flyaway rounds return, including the Australian round, which is scheduled for 14-16 October; a similar calendar slot from pre-COVID times.
Barring accident or injury, the 2022 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island will see Jack Miller joined by Remy Gardner on the grid as the son of Wayne Gardner is moving up to MotoGP next year. The last time two Aussies ran a full year in the premier class was 2009, when Chris Vermeulen and Casey Stoner flew the flag.
“It’s been far too long since fans made the pilgrimage to Phillip Island. I can’t wait to see the MotoGP faithful back at the circuit, for what never fails to be an action-packed weekend,” said Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, Andrew Westacott.
“With two Australians now competing in the premier class, there’s never been a better time to visit Phillip Island and cheer on our homegrown talent. Who knows, we may even get an Aussie one-two fairytale finish!”
After two years without a home GP, Jack Miller is pumped for the 2022 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, too.
"Everyone has been looking forward to returning to Phillip Island, so to be able to come back next October… for us MotoGP riders, it's back where we belong. There's nowhere else like it and racing at home in front of family and friends for us Aussies will be extra special this time – I can't wait," Miller enthused.
New additions to the 2022 calendar include the KymiRing, which was due to make its debut in 2020, but COVID-19 and construction delays saw Finland’s return to grand prix motorcycle racing cancelled twice.
Also making its debut in 2022 is the all-new Indonesian “street circuit” at Mandalika. Unlike the other Asian rounds, the Indonesian GP will actually be held early in the year.
The 2022 MotoGP season kicks off with a night round at Qatar, as per usual, with the mid-season break scheduled between the Finnish and British GPs. The second round of flyaways gets underway in Japan from September, with Australia to be the third-last round ahead of the familiar season finale in Valencia.
The provisional 2022 calendar is as follows:
2022 MotoGP provisional calendar*
Round Dates Grand Prix Circuit
Rd01 04-06 Mar Qatar** Losail
Rd02 18-20 Mar Indonesia† Mandalika
Rd03 01-03 Apr Argentina Termas de Rio Hondo
Rd04 08-10 Apr USA CotA
Rd05 22-24 Apr Portugal Portimao
Rd06 29 Apr-01 May Spain Jerez
Rd07 13-15 May France Le Mans
Rd08 27-29 May Italy Mugello
Rd09 03-05 Jun Catalunya Catalunya
Rd10 17-19 Jun Germany Sachsenring
Rd11 24-26 Jun Netherlands Assen
Rd12 08-10 Jul Finland† KymiRing
Rd13 05-07 Aug Great Britain Silverstone
Rd14 19-21 Aug Austria Spielberg
Rd15 02-04 Sep San Marino Misano
Rd16 16-18 Sep Spain Aragon
Rd17 23-25 Sep Japan Motegi
Rd18 30 Sep–02 Oct Thailand Buriram
Rd19 14-16 Oct Australia Phillip Island
Rd20 21-23 Oct Malaysia Sepang
Rd21 04-06 Nov Valenciana Valencia
*Subject to COVID-19 conditions and other changes
**Night race
†Subject to homologation