Floods Strike Autodromo Ayrton Senna Ahead of MotoGP Brazil Grand Prix
Heavy rain has inundated the refurbished Autodromo Ayrton Senna in Goiania. The circuit is due to host round two of the 2026 MotoGP season this weekend.
Flood impact at the circuit
Storms began on Monday afternoon and persisted into the night. Crews found extensive water damage on Tuesday morning.
The paddock access tunnel was submerged and unusable. Officials measured more than 25cm of standing water there by 17:00 local time.
Grassy run-offs and some parts of the track became saturated. The last corner onto the finish straight and the end of the main straight were waterlogged.
In Turn 1, accumulated water covered roughly 12 metres of asphalt. The pit lane and other sections showed damp patches but fewer pools.
Response and recovery work
Teams deployed tanker trucks and pumps to clear surfaces. By mid-morning Tuesday, sun and 30°C temperatures helped dry large areas of asphalt.
Workers planned a repeat of the drying operation on Wednesday. Track crews focused on restoring safe access to the paddock.
The city’s Climate Crisis Office mobilised teams across Goiania. They performed preventive monitoring and follow-up inspections at critical points.
Civil defence alert and public advice
At 17:00 local time (21:00 CET), Civil Defence of Goiania issued an emergency alert. Authorities warned of sudden, heavy flooding and advised people to avoid affected areas.
Residents received phone notifications about the flood risk. The city council said its teams aim to reduce hazards and provide guidance.
Event schedule and outlook
The MotoGP Brazil Grand Prix weekend begins this Friday with Moto3 FP1 at 09:00 local time. Organisers face a narrow window to complete repairs.
Rain remains in forecasts for the coming days. Continued accumulation could complicate the second grand prix of the season.
Organisers and teams hope conditions stabilise. There are roughly 48 hours before on-track action is due to start.
Filmogaz.com will follow developments and provide updates as recovery work continues.
