MotoGP has no immediate plans to race at Madrid’s new Madring circuit, despite the venue making its Formula 1 debut this weekend.
MotoGP deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta explained that the new Madrid track is currently not suitable for the premier motorcycle championship, highlighting the different requirements and safety considerations between F1 and MotoGP.
Madring, located around the IFEMA exhibition centre in Madrid, will host its first Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix this weekend. The new circuit features a mixture of permanent and temporary sections, including tight corners, close barriers and a heavily banked turn.
While the layout has been designed to meet Formula 1 requirements, Ezpeleta said that does not automatically make it appropriate for MotoGP.
“MotoGP has different requirements,” Ezpeleta explained, with the safety implications of racing motorcycles at a circuit being a key consideration.
The biggest concern is the amount of space available around the track. MotoGP bikes can leave the circuit at different angles and speeds compared with F1 cars, meaning larger run-off areas are often required to provide sufficient protection in the event of a crash.
Source: Sportrik
The presence of walls close to the racing line at Madring could therefore create additional risks for MotoGP riders.
Ezpeleta also stressed that MotoGP is not simply looking to follow Formula 1 into every new venue. Although the championship is interested in expanding its presence in major cities, any potential circuit must first meet the technical and safety standards required for motorcycle racing.
Madring is set to host the Spanish Grand Prix from September 11 to 13, replacing Barcelona as the main Spanish venue for F1. The circuit is part of Madrid’s long-term agreement to host Formula 1.
MotoGP, meanwhile, already has an established presence in Spain, with races currently held at circuits such as Jerez, Barcelona and Valencia. The championship has also previously indicated that it remains interested in maintaining a strong presence in the country.
For now, however, Madring is unlikely to join that list.
The decision does not completely close the door on MotoGP racing in Madrid in the future. Should the circuit be modified or additional safety measures introduced to meet motorcycle racing requirements, the possibility could be reconsidered.
For the time being, though, Madring remains an F1 venue rather than a potential MotoGP destination.
