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Moving the Australian Grand Prix to Adelaide opens a "huge window of opportunity" for MotoGP, according to the championship's Sporting Director, Carlos Ezpeleta.
The news of the Australian round relocating from the historic Phillip Island circuit to a street circuit in Adelaide was announced earlier this year, sparking mixed reactions.
Former world champion Casey Stoner, who boasts six consecutive victories at Phillip Island in his career, has been one of the most vocal critics of the change. He highlighted both the qualities of the Phillip Island track and the difficulties associated with ensuring MotoGP safety on a street circuit.
However, the primary goal of the relocation is to bring the championship closer to urban centers, making it more accessible for fans. Proximity to hotels, restaurants, and even the availability of public transport are key factors.
The idea is that if the race is easier to attend, more people will come, some of whom will be new fans, thereby increasing the championship's audience and, theoretically, its revenue.
An additional effect of the Adelaide race is that other cities might also show interest in hosting a MotoGP round. Sporting Director Carlos Ezpeleta shared that many cities have already contacted the organization since the Adelaide announcement.
"There are thousands of cities, so I can't speak for all of them, but yes, cities from all over the world have contacted us. The Adelaide project opens up a huge window of opportunity for other cities globally. There's an expectation; they want to see how the Adelaide event unfolds, but conversations are already underway. Sometimes, when people don't know the details and intricacies of the sport, they read the headline and think they can build a track in any city, but that's not the case – it requires a lot of space," stated Ezpeleta.
More events in cities also mean more races. However, with 22 rounds, MotoGP is at the upper limit of what's logistically feasible. Therefore, Ezpeleta added that the inclusion of new races would come at the expense of an existing European event.
"The reality is we have 22 events. As new ones come in, others will likely have to leave. I think the immediate goal will be to find a way to balance it. We are overrepresented in Spain and Central Europe, so that decision is quite obvious. New destinations will come in, and there will be some that will have to leave, simply because we have too much concentration in those areas. As we move forward and have 22 magnificent events – each with its own identity, functioning as a kind of mini Super Bowl with sold-out tickets, which is our vision – the value they will create for us will be crucial. We don't hide the fact that we want to have a greater global presence, to be closer to major cities and main airports where we can reach a new audience, and to rely on good hotel and hospitality infrastructure. It's about making it easier for fans: when they are at the track, we must offer them not only the best racing in the world, which we already have, but also the best possible experience. We will see more such events added to the calendar. We also have the desire and are investing to work with existing promoters and established circuits to ensure they also improve the fan experience. The key is how to improve existing events while incorporating new ones," commented Ezpeleta.
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