Hungary continues MotoGP plans, aims for 2023

The Hungarian Government, which last November signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding' with Dorna to host a future MotoGP round, has released more details of the project.

According to origo.hu, Minister of Innovation and Technology László Palkovics announced that a brand new circuit will be built on the outskirts of Hajdúnánás, in north-eastern Hungary.

The 188-million-euro investment will include service facilities, training and conference centres and a hotel. The project is also aimed at helping the country's post-coronavirus economy.

The track will be suitable for both MotoGP and F1 - Palkovics adding that an 8-year MotoGP agreement will start in 2023, by which time the world championship calendar is tipped to contain 22-venues.

Hungary hosted a 500cc Grand Prix at the Hungaroring in 1990 and 1992, but a planned return via the proposed Balatonring circuit for 2010 (on the back of Gabor Talmacsi's 125cc title success) never materialised.

Talmaci, also present at the latest press conference, was praised by Palkovics for putting Hungary on the MotoGP map, without which the latest project would not have been possible.

Speaking last November, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said of Hungary's plans:  "A new race – and circuit – in Hungary is an exciting prospect for us all and brings MotoGP back to a country with a great tradition in racing in which we're excited to see MotoGP play a key role going forward."

Finland's Kymiring had been due to join this year's world championship calendar but is now among eight events officially cancelled due to the coronavirus. Indonesia's Mandalika circuit is due to debut in 2021, followed by Rio and possibly Portimao in 2022.