MotoGP's upcoming move to Adelaide has already attracted plenty of attention, but a purported track map circulating online has now sparked a wave of criticism from fans.
The Australian Grand Prix is scheduled to move from Phillip Island to Adelaide in 2027, with MotoGP preparing to race on a heavily revised version of the city's famous street circuit. However, an unverified image claiming to show the latest proposed layout has left some supporters far from impressed.
The leaked map appears to show major changes compared with the initial design unveiled by South Australian officials in February. Several familiar sections of the existing Adelaide circuit have been altered or removed, while new sequences of corners and large gravel traps have been added.
Source: Australian Motorcycle News
Among the most noticeable changes is the opening section. The existing Senna Chicane appears to have been replaced by a series of esses, with gravel traps positioned on both sides of the track. The Wakefield Road section has also been shortened, with the circuit seemingly cutting across East Terrace to create a new straight followed by another set of esses.
Further changes can reportedly be seen around Rundle Road, where the approach to the section connecting with Dequetteville Terrace has been tightened. The final sector appears closer to the original proposal, although the purported map also shows potential locations for gravel traps, the pit complex and grandstands.
The changes have prompted some MotoGP fans to question whether the layout will provide the type of racing they were expecting from Adelaide. Some online reactions have been particularly harsh, with supporters joking that the circuit looked as though it had been designed in a hurry.
However, it is important to note that the map has not been officially confirmed as the final MotoGP layout. MotoGP organisers have previously indicated that a revised design would be released, while reports from Adelaide suggest the document circulating online is still only a purported draft.
The project is already one of the biggest changes to the Australian MotoGP calendar in years. Adelaide's new circuit is expected to measure around 4.195 kilometres and feature 18 corners, with MotoGP previously stating that riders could reach speeds above 340km/h.
Safety has also been a major consideration during the circuit's development. MotoGP officials have said the layout has been assessed using speed calculations and potential crash trajectories, with gravel traps and additional temporary safety measures planned where required.
The revised circuit will also have an impact beyond MotoGP, as the Adelaide Supercars event is expected to use essentially the same layout just weeks after the Australian Grand Prix. Officials have consulted with Supercars teams and drivers about making smaller adjustments between the two events to suit the different types of machinery.
For now, fans will have to wait for the official track design before passing final judgement. If the leaked map does prove to be close to the finished version, however, Adelaide's first MotoGP race could look very different from the circuit initially presented when the 2027 move was announced.
The inaugural Adelaide Australian Grand Prix is scheduled for November 2027, marking the beginning of a new chapter for one of MotoGP's longest-running events.
