Casey Stoner, the legendary MotoGP rider, has expressed his determination to make Phillip Island return to the World Championship calendar, despite plans to move the Australian Grand Prix to Adelaide starting in 2027.
Phillip Island, considered the spiritual hub of the competition, has hosted the race since 1989, with exceptions only for COVID-19 and the editions held at Eastern Creek during the 90s. In two weeks, the Australian Grand Prix, which will take place at Phillip Island, could be the last at this iconic track for an indefinite period.
Stoner, who won at Phillip Island on six different occasions between 2007 and 2012, does not accept the change without a fight. In a promotional video, he commented: ‘The decision to remove Phillip Island from the calendar is extremely disappointing for me. I think I will fight to have it reintroduced to the MotoGP calendar.’
While acknowledging that the track needs some improvements to the facilities, like the pit area, the two-time world champion believes that moving to an urban circuit in Adelaide is not the right solution. ‘Year after year, Phillip Island gives us some of the best races you can see. Its exclusion from the calendar is shocking and I disagree with replacing it with an urban circuit,’ said Stoner.
The future of Phillip Island as a MotoGP venue remains uncertain. However, Stoner’s and other riders’ passion could influence future decisions within the championship. Moreover, other riders, like Toprak Razgatlioglu, have expressed their intent to work towards getting additional venues back on the MotoGP calendar, showing the importance that traditional tracks have in the world of motorcycling.
Reported by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_e5d306239894a598e5c343e7fffd1004b8e27c75