The story between Silverstone and MotoGP has not been a smooth river. The route should have disappeared from the address book of the developer Dorna who was convinced of a future in Wales with a site which ultimately never came to fruition. Then there was the disaster of races canceled following biblical rain which only exacerbated a new coating on the circuit freshly laid at great expense and failed. But if Silverstone bends, it does not break like its boss Stuart Pringle who also survived all these storms. It is now negotiating its sustainability on the calendar…
The general manager of the Silverstone circuit, Stuart pringle, knows the date of his British Grand Prix, but he also knows that this passage in 2022 is contractually the last. It is therefore necessary to negotiate the future, and that is what he does, hoping for a new five-year contract with Dorna, so that MotoGP can stay on its route until 2026.
Just over a week ago, MotoGP celebrated its return to Silverstone after the Grand Prix was canceled last year due to the health crisis. The current contract with Dorna on the organization of the meeting under the seal of Great Britain expires at the end of this year. However, a new deal is close to being finalized after the 2022 British Grand Prix was confirmed for the weekend of August 5 to 7. According to Motorsport-total, the director Stuart pringle said there were discussions about the length of the contract: “ we hope it will be a five year contract », underlines Pringle who therefore sees until 2026 inclusive. But it's not yet certain. “IThere is still a bit of debate on this subject. There is also the possibility that it is three years ».
« This year is the last round of the current contract. From 2022, a new contract which has not yet been signed will take effect. Clearly, both sides have enough confidence to announce dates for the coming year ". Since the circuit of Silverstone was redesigned and completed in 2010, it hosts the British Grand Prix. The track replaced Donington Park, where MotoGP was invited from 1987 to 2009. Before that, Silverstone hosted the motorcycle world championship races from 1977 to 1986.
Silverstone watches its attendance closely and fears the consequences of Rossi's departure
Pringle confirms that viewership is up 23% this year compared to the 2019 race. He believes a lot of this has to do with the pandemic and people's desire to attend live events: " it's up to us to make sure everyone who comes here has a great experience » affirms the Briton who also thinks that the last season of Valentino Rossi fueled demand. After the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, the MotoGP event was the second sold-out event hosted by Silverstone this summer.
At the same time, Pringle admits that he is “ nervous » as to how retirement Red will affect ticket sales for 2022. The Italian will end his active MotoGP career at the end of the season, but will continue to be represented with his own VR46 team.
