Dorna have now held talks over adding Formula 1 street circuit to the MotoGP calendar

Add as preferred source on Google

Liberty Media’s takeover of MotoGP has generated widespread expectations that the series will move in Formula 1’s direction. There are only certain circuits suitable for both sports.

As it stands, MotoGP has five venues in common with F1 – Austin, Lusail, Silverstone, Spielberg and Barcelona. It also visits four tracks that used to be on the premier two-wheel calendar – Jerez, Mugello, Sepang and Portimao.

For safety reasons, holding a MotoGP race at a street circuit seems unrealistic. But according to The Race, such a proposal has now come under consideration.

Phillip Island, which first hosted the Australian Grand Prix in 1989 and has done so 28 times since including last weekend, is about to enter the final year of its contract.

Albert Park circuit considered as Phillip Island replacement – but deal unlikely

There are some obstacles blocking an extension for Phillip Island. Its remote location leads to ‘traffic chaos’ and some of the season’s ‘most expensive’ accommodation, both of which limit attendance.

Indeed, The Race point out that this year’s event attracted fewer fans than all but two races (Qatar and Hungary). Some fans are more inclined to make cheaper trips to the nearby Indonesian or Malaysian Grands Prix.

Both Dorna and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) have been looking for a new venue for ‘some time’. It’s in this context that they have ‘provisionally’ looked at Albert Park, the longtime host of the country’s F1 race.

The AGPC have spoken to Dorna about whether it would be ‘possible’ for both sports to race at the circuit, with £200m about to be invested in improving the facilities. However, it’s unclear how organisers could ensure sufficient run-off area for MotoGP riders without cutting down a ‘significant number of trees’, which would generate a local backlash.

A more likely alternative is a brand-new track near Victoria’s Avalon Airport. This is a ‘long way from reality’, but consultation work is already underway.

Honda don’t want Liberty Media to introduce F1-inspired regulation

The problem here is that if Phillip Island can’t negotiate a new deal and the Victoria track isn’t ready, then the Australian GP could be absent from the calendar for a number of years. A short-term renewal for the current venue might therefore make the most sense given the importance of the market.

Street circuits have taken on a growing importance to F1’s brand, but this may be one area where Liberty can’t homogenise.

Liberty may want 25 races on the MotoGP calendar, which could mean that Moto2 and Moto3 drop off the schedule at some weekends.

KTM’s Pit Beirer wants MotoGP and F1 to hold a joint-weekend, and says the idea has already been discussed in the paddock without gaining any official traction.

Meanwhile, Liberty could introduce a cost cap, with KTM leading calls for the F1-style regulation amid opposition from Honda. Among the audience at least, this would be a less controversial change that may improve the financial health of the sport.