The Authorities of Victoria has dismissed a proposal from Dorna, the promoter of the MotoGP World Championship, to stage future editions of the Australian Grand Prix on the Albert Park avenue circuit in Melbourne.
In a press release launched on Tuesday, the state that hosts each the bike and System 1 grands prix made it clear that the MotoGP occasion should proceed to be held at Phillip Island, positioned round 140 kilometres south of Melbourne. The response comes amid uncertainty over the way forward for the race on the spectacular monitor that overlooks the Tasman Sea.
The present contract between Dorna – lately rebranded as MotoGP Sports activities Leisure – and Phillip Island expires after this season’s race, scheduled for late October. That scenario has opened the door for the championship promoter to discover alternate options.
In accordance with the official assertion, probably the most engaging possibility for Dorna was to maneuver future editions of the occasion to Albert Park in Melbourne, which subsequent month will host the opening spherical of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Nevertheless, the Victorian authorities responded firmly, reaffirming its dedication to Phillip Island.
“The Australian Bike Grand Prix is synonymous with Phillip Island, and Victoria is proud to help it,” reads the assertion from the federal government led by Jacinta Allan. “Right now, the Allan Authorities rejected Dorna Sports activities’ request to maneuver the occasion from Phillip Island to Albert Park.”
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Photograph by: Martin Maintain / AFP through Getty Pictures
The message additionally underlines the tangible and intangible added worth of the race in its present location: “The MotoGP Grand Prix attracts tens of hundreds of holiday makers to Phillip Island yearly. It’s good for tourism, for native companies and for jobs.”
Whereas ruling out a possible change of venue, the Victorian authorities has pledged to spend money on upgrades to the circuit’s amenities to fulfill MotoGP’s sporting and industrial necessities, significantly following Liberty Media’s acquisition of the championship’s industrial rights holder.
“Victoria has agreed to supply extra funding to assist Dorna create a much bigger and higher occasion past 2026, on the situation that it stays at Phillip Island,” the assertion added.
Carlos Ezpeleta, MotoGP’s sporting director, travelled to Australia late final 12 months. Motorsport.com understands that in that go to the manager outlined two potential paths to increase the settlement: one involving capital funding to modernise the circuit, and the opposite a relocation.
“They should make enhancements to carry the occasion as much as the requirements we wish for MotoGP, by way of infrastructure, the pit space, the paddock and entry,” Ezpeleta advised Motorsport.com just a few days in the past when discussing the way forward for the Australian Grand Prix.
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