Visa delays nearly pushed MotoGP Bharat off track, but MEA saved the day

Though the road to the 2023 MotoGP event at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida was paved with unexpected visa hurdles, preventing several top riders from arriving in India as planned, the Indian governement seems to have come in clutch in the nick of time.

The excitement is palpable as the 13th round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship is all set to make history in India. The Buddh International Circuit, nestled in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh will host its first-ever MotoGP race marking a significant milestone in Indian motorsport. 

India’s expectations

This historic event is India's first-ever hosting of the FIM MotoGP World Championship. It is expected to attract around 1,00,000 spectators and potentially generate approximately Rs 100 crore in revenue for the state.

Since the now-defunct Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix was scrapped after the 2013 season due to financial complications and other issues, motorsport enthusiasts had eagerly awaited the return of international racing to the Buddh International Circuit.

The first race, scheduled for this weekend, was poised to reignite the thrill of high-speed racing in the country.

The visa conundrum

However, as the race date drew near, a visa debacle unfolded, causing considerable chaos and frustration among riders and team personnel. Spanish superstar Marc Marquez, undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the sport, was among those affected by these unforeseen visa delays. 

Our Spanish sensation found himself not straddling his MotoGP machine but a bicycle, sharing the woes of his delayed flight on Instagram. 

• Marquez's Honda teammate and the 2020 world champion, Joan Mir, also found himself caught in the visa web, prompting a rescheduling of his flight. 
• The delay in the arrivals of these two prominent riders forced the Honda factory racing team to make the difficult decision to cancel a pre-race event scheduled for Wednesday morning, affecting both fans and sponsors who were eager to witness their idols in action.

And the trouble also extended beyond the MotoGP class. 

Several team personnel from MotoGP and its feeder series, Moto2 and Moto3, also found themselves missing their flights due to visa delays. This unfortunate situation left some team members reaching the airport with hopes that their visas would miraculously arrive in time. 

GP India's response

The Grand Prix of India, in an official statement, expressed regret over these unforeseen delays in the visa issuance process.

• They explained that these glitches were part and parcel of the challenges often faced during inaugural events like this one, emphasising that it wasn't a reflection of their dedication and hard work. 
• However, they assured fans and participants that efforts were underway to process the pending visas promptly.

Fairstreet, the organisation overseeing the visa applications, revealed that nearly 1,800 visas were required for personnel involved in the event. A technical glitch, attributed to a travel agency, caused the substantial delay. 

• They also noted that 600 visa applications were pending until recently, but significant progress had been made, including the successful processing of Marquez's visa.

In response to the situation, the Grand Prix of India conveyed their appreciation to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s UP government for their unwavering support.

They reassured everyone of their commitment to ensuring that all race personnel, from riders to technical officials, would eventually receive their visas and arrive in India as planned, safe and sound.

On a brighter note

Amid the chaos, there were glimmers of hope. Some racers managed to secure their visas on time and embarked on their journeys to India. 

The 2021 world champion, Fabio Quartararo, along with current main title challenger Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez, were among the fortunate ones. 

While the riders' journeys faced delays and uncertainties, the motorcycles and other essential equipment had already made their way to India, reaching the country in advance of the race.

The riders and team personnel were expected to arrive early in the week to commence their preparations, which would include track walks and a meticulous analysis of the circuit. 

The riders, from all over the world, have various visa requirements to enter India. Passport holders of countries like Spain, Italy and Japan are eligible for an e-Visa to enter India, and most of the time, there are agencies roped in by organisations that facilitate the visas for delegates.

MotoGP Bharat schedule

The schedule dictated that Friday would be the day when riders would hit the circuit on their bikes during practice sessions, with Saturday featuring more practice, qualifying rounds, and the sprint race.

Finally, Sunday would be the culmination of their efforts, with the main race set to captivate fans and enthusiasts.

Event planning and tickets

Behind the scenes, Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP, had partnered with Fairstreet Sports in a seven-year contract. Even though the visa drama was an unexpected curve in the road, both organisations remained committed to delivering a race that would go down in Indian motorsport history.

Having first opened for sale in June, ticket prices for the MotoGP Bharat 2023 vary, starting from Rs 800 and going up to a whopping Rs 1,80,000. This range provides options for different budgets and preferences. To secure your tickets, registrations can be done through the BookMyShow.

The authorities are taking security and crowd management seriously.

Over 3,000 personnel, including 1,000 traffic personnel, are in place to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow. Multiple checkpoints and regular patrols have been established to maintain order during the event.

It is expected that the event will be witnessed by more than 1.5 lakh visitors, including 10,000 foreign delegates. The Yamuna Freeway Modern Improvement Authority has been coordinated to follow all necessary protocol.