THE 2021 MotoGP season opener could be in doubt before the bikes have even turned a wheel, after the nation of Qatar reported an 85 percent rise in COVID-19 cases in January.
Honda CBR1000RR-R SP launch from Qatar MotoGP circuit
The ministry of health for Qatar has yesterday claimed that there had been an 85 per cent increase in the number of COVID-19 patients being admitted to hospitals. That is on top of an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU.
Qatar has seen a steady increase in the number of infections and also hospital admissions over the winter months, with the tally now standing at 151,335 confirmed cases, 145,806 recovered patients and 248 deaths.
Because of this, Qatar’s ministry has stated it may need to implement further restrictions on its people and also those travelling to and from the country. They have even spoken of returning the nation to its earliest restriction phases to combat the rise in infections.
There is confirmation as to how this will affect the MotoGP pre-season tests, due to take place on the 6th and 19th March, or the season opener due to go ahead on the 28th. One thing is for sure though, if the Qatar ministry is serious about reducing the COVID-19 numbers in the nation, they aren’t going to be likely to swing open the doors to a plane-load of MotoGP teams and staff – most of which will have travelled from Europe.
