Marco Bezzecchi
Phillip Island will no longer host the Australian Grand Prix in MotoGP from 2027, and the sport’s boss, Carmelo Ezpeleta, has addressed the reasons for its exit.
A street circuit in Adelaide will replace Phillip Island on the calendar from next season. It comes as Liberty Media, MotoGP’s new owners, looks to expand the sport’s global audience and introduce street tracks.
Is MotoGP selling its soul by leaving Phillip Island?
The news was widely criticised by experts and fans alike, given how popular Phillip Island is among riders and spectators. Keith Huewen said losing Phillip Island was ‘tragic’ for the sport.
But from 2027, the Australian Grand Prix will move to an all-new circuit. It has been reported that Adelaide could be a night race, but people are still furious with the decision to leave one of MotoGP’s most iconic tracks.
READ MORE: The most successful MotoGP riders at the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island
Carmelo Ezpeleta says ‘safety comes first’ for MotoGP when asked about leaving Phillip Island
While Phillip Island is loved for its crazy layout and racing, safety concerns have been raised about the circuit, given the serious crashes that have happened at the track.
Aleix Espargaro said Phillip Island is too ‘dangerous’ for MotoGP today, and Ezpeleta explained that safety is paramount for the sport moving forward, hence why the track has been dropped.
Speaking via AS, he described Adelaide as “a safe, non-street race,” before adding: “We’re going to a fantastic location, in the middle of a city, but with all the necessary safety features. With all the positive aspects of being in the heart of a city, so that people will come.
Is Phillip Island too dangerous for MotoGP?
“I hope we won’t have any more issues with wind and rain. It’s easy to say that Phillip Island is a beautiful circuit, which it is, but safety comes first. Suzuka is gorgeous, and since it’s not safe, we don’t go there. Safety comes first.
“MotoGP is on its way to making races better and better, whether they’re on the streets or not. We will try to hold them closer to cities each time.
“Goiânia is a permanent fixture and is in the city center, as is Buenos Aires, which we’ll be going to next year. That’s the way forward.”
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