F1 Moto GP
Published on July 24, 2026 at 12:00 PM by André Lecondé

Silverstone: Why is F1 so successful while MotoGP struggles? Guenther Steiner reveals the real reason

Why does Silverstone attract nearly 600,000 spectators for F1 but struggle to fill the stands for MotoGP?

Liberty Medium

The gap is enormous. On one hand, nearly 600,000 spectators are expected for the 2026 British Grand Prix. On the other, fewer than 100,000 spectators were recorded at the 2025 British MotoGP. This fuels a question we recently raised: Is Silverstone truly doing everything it can to promote MotoGP? Guenther Steiner, former Formula 1 team principal and now CEO of Red Bull KTM Tech3, offers a very different perspective on the situation.

According to him, the problem doesn't stem from the British promoter, but simply from MotoGP's current lack of popularity in the UK. An analysis worth considering.

For memory, we recently emphasized that Silverstone is capable of transforming its Grand Prix of Formula 1 into a true popular and cultural festival, while the MotoGP struggles to fill its stands. Even more so, Liberty Medium and the F1 demonstrated that a former airfield lost in the English countryside could become one of the biggest global sporting events of the year.

Why wouldn't this recipe work with two wheels? The answer from Guenther Steiner is straightforward: I don't think they treat them differently.. » The Italian leader even went on to make a particularly revealing comparison: It's Formula 1: you can't promote anything right now. If we organized a Formula 1 race at the Sachsenring, we'd have half a million people. That's just how it is. »

In other words, F1 has become a product that practically sells itself. MotoGP, on the other hand, has not yet benefited from this dynamic in the United Kingdom. Steiner However, it is acknowledged that the promoter can and must play a role: Of course, the promoter can always help us promote the race, to make it known to the public, but I think we mainly need to generate more interest in MotoGP in the UK. It's like that »

Guenther Steiner: " I don't think it's a lack of willpower of Silverstone "

The former Haas boss in Formula 1 also points out that he maintains excellent relations with Stuart pringle, the Silverstone boss: " Silverstone can obviously help. Can they do more? There's always room for improvement. I have a good relationship with Stuart Pringle, and They are trying to achieve this, but it's not easy. »

It is true that the problem goes far beyond the simple framework of SilverstoneMotoGP races have suffered for several seasons from a certain loss of appeal to the general public. Between the controversies surrounding tire pressure, aerodynamics is omnipresent or, the seat correction devicesThe discipline sometimes struggles to recapture the spectacle that made it famous.

During that time Formula 1 continues to ride an unprecedented wave of popularity and culture, driven in particular by Netflix, Liberty Medium and an extremely aggressive marketing strategy.

Steiner he also estimates on crash.net that MotoGP is nevertheless working in the right direction: I think that in F1, currently, even without promotion, the arenas are packed, because it's a constantly evolving sport […] and MotoGP needs a boost »

He adds : " I believe we are doing thingsOn Thursday, the press conference will be held in London, things like that. They're in the process of doing it, you know.. " Before concluding : " They're trying to speed up the process. It's the only thing we can do. I don't think it's a lack of will. It's not about not trying to make it happen, because it's important that Silverstone hosts the MotoGP race. »

The debate therefore remains open. Silverstone Could he do more? Probably. Does MotoGP still lack a true popular phenomenon in the UK? Undoubtedly.

One thing, however, is becoming increasingly clear: the British problem in MotoGP goes far beyond the mere question of the circuit. SilverstoneWhere Formula 1 sells today a cultural and social experience as much as a motor raceMotoGP still sells primarily… MotoGP. And in modern sport, that unfortunately is no longer always enough to fill the stands.