The veteran Australian rider Casey Stoner has expressed his firm intention to fight for the Phillip Island circuit to return to the MotoGP calendar, despite the authorities announcing that starting from 2027, the Australian Grand Prix will move to Adelaide.
This circuit, considered the true hallmark of the competition, has hosted the race every year since 1989, with exceptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and six editions held at Eastern Creek during the nineties. However, the imminent Australian race, taking place in two weeks, is expected to be the last at Phillip Island for an undetermined period.
This move has generated significant controversy among fans and riders, including Stoner, who won at Phillip Island six times between 2007 and 2012. In a recent promotional video, Stoner stated, “The fact that Phillip Island is off the calendar is extremely disappointing for me, and I will fight to get it back.”
While acknowledging that the circuit may need some improvements, Stoner does not believe that justifies abandoning it in favor of a new urban circuit in Adelaide. “I understand that changes are needed at Phillip Island,” he added, “but year after year, it offers some of the best races you will ever see. Replacing a circuit with this history and prestige for an urban circuit is not a decision that seems right to me.”
At this point, it is unclear how Stoner will accomplish his mission, but this is not the first time a MotoGP rider has alluded to their potential influence to achieve changes in the calendar. In fact, Toprak Razgatlioglu recently expressed his intention to bring back a race to Turkey for future seasons.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
