Brazilian Grand Prix paddock entry ‘completely flooded’ just days before the race

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The Goiania MotoGP circuit has been affected by flash flooding ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, raising fresh concerns for the teams and the championship.

Questions have been asked about the safety of the Brazilian GP layout as the sport returns to the country for the first time since 2004. Thunderstorms during the week, and potential showers at the weekend, could make it even more precarious for the riders.

On Wednesday morning, images emerged on social media appearing to show that a section of the track had been flooded. Motorsport Espana have now revealed the extent of the problem.

Goiania hit by flash flooding ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix

On Tuesday evening, the paddock access tunnel was ‘completely flooded’ with over 25 centimetres of water. As for the track itself, both the final corner and turn one were totally submerged.

Meanwhile, local authorities have issued an emergency alert to residents about potential flash flooding. They have been told to avoid travelling through affected areas.

• READ MORE: MotoGP 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix race schedule, UK timings and how to watch

At the end of 2024, Valencia was unable to host MotoGP’s season finale after severe flooding in the region. Barcelona filled the slot on the calendar.

Before that, one has to go back to the sodden British GP of 2018 for the last time a race was cancelled due to weather. In 2009, the Qatar GP was moved to a Monday, an unprecedented move in the modern era, after a desert rainstorm.

Is the Brazilian Grand Prix at risk of being cancelled?

Naturally, participants, ticket-holders and viewers will be concerned about the race going ahead after seeing the images. It was only last weekend that MotoGP announced the postponement of next month’s Qatar Grand Prix amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Motorsport ES say that staff will clear the standing water on Wednesday, just as they did 24 hours earlier. The problem is the ‘accumulation’ of rain across the week.

‘Nobody’ on the ground is talking about a cancellation at this stage, and organisers are hoping for some respite from the heavy rain. The high temperatures could come to their aid in that regard.

Brazil has replaced Argentina on this year’s calendar, though Buenos Aires is slated to join the schedule in 2027.