MotoGP racing is heading back to Silverstone after track owners reached a deal with the Circuit of Wales, a day after a previous deal with Donington Park fell through. The 2015 British Grand Prix will be held at Silverstone as scheduled on Aug. 28-30 this year, and again in the 2016 season.
Silverstone has hosted the British Grand Prix since 2010, taking over from Donington Park. Last summer, MotoGP promoter Dorna signed a five-year contract to hold the event at the new (and yet-to-be-completed) Circuit of Wales. The Welsh track reached a preliminary agreement with Donington Park to host the MotoGP round this year while construction proceeded, but that deal fell through.
The Circuit of Wales then turned to Silverstone, reaching an agreement for the track to host the British Grand Prix in 2015 and 2016.
“We want to thank the new management at Silverstone, our partners at Dorna and our investors for the rapid response needed to support the 2015 event when it became clear that we would be unlikely to conclude the contractual arrangements at Donington. We are delighted to secure the future of the event for the next two years while our circuit in Wales is under construction. Today’s announcement ensures we will have the 2015 British Round of MotoGP.”
Silverstone was the logical alternative after the deal with Donington collapsed. Silverstone had invested a lot into upgrade the track to host MotoGP for the last five years
“A lot of work has been done over recent years to ensure MotoGP fans enjoy what Silverstone has to offer and it was devastating for the venue to lose the event last autumn,” says Patrick Allen, managing director of Silverstone. “Two wheel racing is as much a part of Silverstone’s heritage as four wheel racing and I am obviously delighted to be in a position to announce we are hosting both the F1 and MotoGP Grand Prix in 2015.”
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