73rd running of the MotoGP World Championship From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2021 FIM Moto3 World Championship was a part of the 73rd F.I.M.Road Racing World Championship season. Pedro Acosta secured the 2021 championship with one race left in the season, which was marred by the death of Jason Dupasquier during the second qualifying session of the Italian Grand Prix.[1]
Joel Kelso replaced Maximilian Kofler for the German round as he continued to recover from a fractured vertebrae.
Filip Salač and Rivacold Snipers Team mutually ended their relationship following the German Grand Prix. He was replaced by Alberto Surra for the remainder of the season.[8] Salač subsequently moved to CarXpert Prüstel GP to replace the late Jason Dupasquier, starting from the Styrian round.[16]
Xavier Artigas missed the Austrian round after testing positive for COVID-19 a week prior during the Styrian Grand Prix.
Alberto Surra missed both Austria races due to physical problems and was replaced by David Salvador.[24]
Niccolò Antonelli missed the Austrian round after sustaining injuries during qualifying of the Styrian Grand Prix. He was replaced by Elia Bartolini.[25]
Andi Farid Izdihar missed the British round after having issues with his visa. He was not replaced.[26]
Gabriel Rodrigo missed the Americas and Emilia Romagna Grands Prix due to a shoulder injury sustained in a test. He was not replaced for both rounds.[28]
Deniz Öncü was given a double race ban for both the Emilia Romagna and the Algarve Grands Prix after causing an accident involving three riders during race 2 of the Americas Grand Prix.[29] He was replaced by Daniel Holgado for both the Emilia Romagna and Algarve rounds.
Sergio García missed the Emilia Romagna round after suffering a kidney hematoma from the a crash during a free practice session of the Americas round. He was replaced by David Alonso for the round.[30]
The following Grands Prix took place in 2021:[31][32][33]
Location of European Grands Prix in 2021. (: scheduled Grand Prix : cancelled Grand Prix)
Calendar changes
The Finnish Grand Prix was due to be reintroduced to the calendar after a 38-year absence. The venue hosting the round was to be the new Kymi Ring, instead of the Tampere Circuit used in 1962 and 1963, or the Imatra Circuit which hosted the round until 1982. The Finnish Grand Prix had been included on the 2020 calendar, but the inaugural race was cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Czech Republic Grand Prix was initially left off the provisional calendar, as the circuit requires mandatory resurfacing for safety compliance, and it was unclear if the necessary work could be completed in time for its typical schedule date in early August. The 11th round of the championship was therefore left open as provisionally pending.[50] On 8 December 2020, Brno city councillors opted out of the 2021 calendar, citing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[51] It marked the first absence of a Grand Prix in Brno since 1992. The mayor of Brno hopes for the return of the championship in 2022.[52]
Calendar changes as a reaction to COVID-19 pandemic
With the uncertainty of the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, championship organizer Dorna elected in November 2020 to nominate three "Reserve Grand Prix Venues" which could be used in the event that local virus containment measures or regulations force the cancellation of a planned Grand Prix.[53]
The Portuguese Grand Prix at Algarve had previously returned to the schedule as a replacement race for the final round of the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season.[54]
A Russian Grand Prix would see the inaugural motorcycle Grand Prix in that country. The Igora Drive circuit would be used.
On 22 January 2021, Dorna significantly updated the provisional calendar including the following changes:[31]
The Argentine and American Grands Prix would be postponed due to the COVID-19 situation in both countries, with potential rescheduling for the final quarter of 2021.
A double-header would open the season in Qatar on 28 March and 4 April, followed by Portugal as the third round.
The provisionally pending race created by the absence of the Czech Grand Prix was removed.
The potential Russian Grand Prix was removed from the reserve list, leaving Indonesia as the sole Reserve Grand Prix Venue.
On 14 May the Finnish Grand Prix was cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation, and the Styrian Grand Prix would replace it on the date of 8 August. It was also confirmed that the Indonesian Grand Prix would remain a reserve Grand Prix in the 2021 calendar, subject to circuit homologation.[32]
On 6 July the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation, with the Malaysian Grand Prix brought forward by a week to replace it on the date of 24 October. In addition, a new Grand Prix, the Algarve Grand Prix, was introduced, which is scheduled to be held on 7 November.[45]
On 21 July the Thailand Grand Prix was cancelled due to the COVID-19 restrictions in the country.[57]
On 19 August the Malaysian Grand Prix was cancelled due to the COVID-19 restrictions in the country. For its replacement, a second Grand Prix at Misano was introduced, having the same schedule as the cancelled Malaysian round.[58]
On 11 September the final championship calendar comprising 18 Grands Prix was confirmed. The Emilia Romagna and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix returned as the second Grand Prix at Misano, now having the shortened name of Emilia Romagna motorcycle Grand Prix. The previously postponed Argentine Grand Prix was also cancelled.[44]
Deniz Öncü set the fastest time in qualifying, but was required to start of race at the back of the grid as his mechanics were still working on his bike at the three minute board. Pole position was left vacant on the grid. Sergio García, in the second slot, was the first rider on the grid. Öncü is still considered to have held pole position.
: scheduled Grand Prix 
: cancelled Grand Prix)
Honda
Husqvarna
Red Bull KTM Ajo
Leopard Racing
Petronas Sprinta Racing
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