MONACO: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic currently affecting the world and its expected consequences for motorsport, the second edition of the FIA Motorsport Games, initially scheduled to take place on 23-25 October, will now be held on 22-24 October 2021.
This multi-disciplinary competition between various nations, will retain the host city of Marseille with the racing action staged at Circuit Paul Ricard.
The FIA took the decision, in conjunction with race promoters SRO Motorsports Group, to put back the second edition of the FIA Motorsport Games by a year. After the first edition was staged last year at the Vallelunga circuit, near to Rome, the second instalment will therefore be held on 22-24 October 2021 in the host city of Marseille and at the Circuit Paul Ricard, as initially planned.
With an additional year to define the shape of this second edition, the FIA and SRO Motorsports Group will therefore be able to prepare more effectively for this coming together of the world of motorsport. They will also do everything they can to provide the National Sporting Authorities with as much support as possible, helping them in getting to grips with regulations and in forming their national teams. The FIA Motorsport Games are set to see the introduction of new disciplines such as rallying and historic motor sport, as well as placing greater emphasis on entry-level and grassroots motorsport categories.
FIA president Jean Todt said: “Unfortunately, due to the Covid 19 crisis, we have decided to postpone the 2020 Motorsport Games to next year. It will leave the opportunity to ASN’s, the teams and our promoter SRO to be better prepared. I take the opportunity to wish the best to the Circuit Paul Ricard which celebrated its 50th anniversary last Sunday and to thank them for welcoming the next FIA Motorsport Games.”
SRO Motorsports Group founder & CEO Stephane Ratel noted: "Moving the second edition of the FIA Motorsport Games to 2021 is the correct course of action. The event was conceived as a late-season contest with each nation represented by its most talented competitors, but many series will now race further into the year than anticipated, meaning it would have fallen during a very busy period. To avoid this conflict, we will begin planning for 2021 and are pleased to have confirmed a revised date at Circuit Paul Ricard. I am grateful that this decision has been reached in such good time and believe that the second edition of the FIA Motorsport Games will ultimately be stronger for it.”
FFSA president Nicolas Deschaux opined: “France, being a national sports authority, will gladly welcome and host in 2021, the various nations represented by its best drivers, on one of its legendary circuits, the circuit Paul Ricard. This postponement is indeniably a wise decision considering the uncertain period the world is going through. International motorsport hence proves to be a responsible actor in society.”
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