Raceday had finally arrived! It was the day when Bharat ( India ) would host its first-ever MotoGP race. It was the day when the country would be back on the motorsports map, after a decade! Sunday promised to be a busy day with races in Moto3, Moto2 and of course MotoGP.
We headed out early on Sunday morning to not get delayed in traffic en route to the circuit!
Driving to the circuit on Raceday!
It seemed like we reached the Paddock quite early!
As soon as we entered the Paddock, we got to meet more people from the MotoGP Fraternity!
Mr Paolo Simoncelli, Team Owner, Sic58 Squadra Corsa :
Jake Dixon, Gas Gas Aspar Team, Moto2 :
Ana Carrasco, Boe Motorsports, Moto3 :
David Munoz, Boe Motorpsorts, Moto3 :
David Alonso, Gas Gas Aspar Team, Moto3 :
Franco Morbidelli, Monster Energy Yamaha, MotoGP :
After spending a few hours in the Paddock, it was time to get ready for the upcoming races. Although we stayed in the Paddock for the Moto3 Race, we headed to the Main Grandstand for the Moto2 and MotoGP events.
But first, time for some lunch in the Hospitality :
The walk to the Main Grandstand was through the tunnel, under the track!
Views from the Main Grandstand, the Moto2 riders congregating on the grid for their race :
The MotoGP teams ready the bikes in their respective garages while the Moto2 field gets ready for its race :
Formation Lap of the Moto2 Race ( Video Link ) :
The Moto2 riders lining up for the race start :
Race Start ( Video Link ) :
A turn one incident saw a multi-rider crash, and the race got red-flagged :
The riders return to the pit lane :
Video Link of the Formation Lap of the Race Restart :
The race is about to get underway after a break of 40 minutes, with the length shortened to 12 laps.
Moto2 Race Restart ( Video Link ) :
Shots from the Moto2 Race :
Pedro Acosta wins the race! Joe Roberts overtook Sergio Garcia for the final podium place in a thrilling last-lap battle :
Chequered Flag after the Race ( Video Link ) :
The riders returned to the pit lane after the race.
Pedro Acosta, Tony Arbolino & Joe Roberts, the podium finishers from the Moto2 Race :
Time for some celebrations :
Podium Celebrations ( Video Link ) :
The podium finishers enjoy the adulation from the crowds :
It was now time for MotoGP to take centre stage!
The Team Garages are abuzz with activity as the riders get ready to head out for sighting laps :
The riders heading out onto the pit lane :
The team personnel and VIP Guests make their way to the starting grid :
The mechanics help the riders navigate through the personnel to their respective grid slots :
The Honda riders make it to their grid positions :
Shots from the grid as everyone prepares for the inaugural MotoGP race :
MotoGP Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :
The 2023 MotoGP of Bharat is a go!
Race Start ( Video Link ) :
Some Stills from the race :
The Race in Progress ( Video Link ) :
Marco Bezzecchi won the race from Jorge Martin & Fabio Quartararo. Martin almost lost P2 to Fabio but the Spaniard recovered himself and held on. Joan Mir was P5 for Honda with Marc Marquez recovering to P9 after an early crash.
Fabio Quartararo engages with the fans after the race, throwing over some race wear too!
Jorge Martin suffered from intense dehydration and had to be attended to by the medical staff. This led to a delay in the podium festivities. Meanwhile, we enjoyed ourselves near the podium :
Presenting the podium finishers of the 2023 MotoGP of Bharat :
The Trophy Presentation :
Time for the Prosecco to be sprayed on the podium :
Marco Bezzecchi, Jorge Martin & Fabio Quartararo, the top 3 finishers of the 2023 MotoGP of Bharat :
Video Link for the Podium Celebrations :
With the Podium celebrations done, it was time for everyone to pack up and head to the next circuit. The teams packing up their bikes :
As I made my final few rounds of the length of the paddock, I met some more motorsports fraternity!
Simon Crafar, former racer & Ace Commentator :
Jose Luis Martinez, Assistant & Best Friend to Marc Marquez :
The Paddock getting emptier by the hour :
The team personnel with the podium finishers' trophy! I also got a moment with Pablo Nieto, the team manager for the Mooney VR46 Racing team :
Pablo Nieto, Team Manager, Mooney VR46 Team, MotoGP :
Meeting riders and personnel continued into the evening!
Joe Roberts, Italtrans Racing Team, Moto2 :
Dennis Foggia, Italtrans Racing Team, Moto2 :
The clock showed 7 pm and it was time to head back to New Delhi after a hectic, action-packed, memorable and unbelievable MotoGP of Bharat! What an amazing experience this had been!
I also made a Vlog about my Sunday Experience on my YouTube Channel!
Video Link :
A Big Thank you to Honda Racing Corporation and Repsol Honda Team for having my friend Yash and me for the race weekend. It was amazing to observe, interact and behold the functioning of the most successful team in MotoGP up-close! We cant wait to return in 2024 and make new memories! The experiences from Motorsport events in 2023 come to an end here. I do hope I am able to present more and share more in 2024!
Thank you for all your support and there is still some content to come on the Blog ( outside of Motorsport )!