Casey Stoner (left) will aim to take the title off Valentino Rossi (right) in 2009

The inaugural Hungarian Grand Prix, which was due to take place on 20 September, has been put back a year until 2010.

Building work at the Balatonring Circuit is behind schedule because of a harsh winter and for financial reasons.

The International Motorsport Federation will not replace the race on the 2009 schedule so it will only have 17 races.

It also means there will be a four-week gap between rounds 13 in San Marino on 6 September and round 14 in Portugal.

606: DEBATE One less race will not materially affect the championship (it was only 16 races anyway until fairly recently), and the teams will save money on travel, accommodation and the cost of a race weekend. pitbabe

Despite the delay, all parties involved in the project remain committed to bringing MotoGP to Hungary on a five-year contract, just starting a year later than planned.

The 2009 championship, where Valentino Rossi will be defending his world title, starts in Qatar on 12 April, with Hungary having been scheduled to replace China when the provisional schedule for the season was announced.

Although there are no Hungarian riders in MotoGP this season, Gabor Talmacsi and Imre Toth are both competing in the 250cc class.

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