MotoGP Deputy CEO Touts Adelaide as a Top-Safe Circuit

MotoGP deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta has stated the new Adelaide circuit will be one of the safest on the championship calendar. The track, which replaces Phillip Island as the Australian Grand Prix venue from 2027, was unveiled last Sunday following a 60 million euro investment.

Ezpeleta addressed media at MotorLand Aragon to counter doubts about safety for modern MotoGP bikes at a historically street-based venue. He emphasized that renderings and an AI simulation video show Adelaide will be a standard circuit set within a city, not a tight street course like Monaco. The deputy CEO said releasing these visuals was important to reassure riders.

"It was incredibly important for us to be able to release these images," Ezpeleta said, referring to the video and photographs. "Firstly, these aren't just random AI-generated images; they're a very precise computational model."

Safety and Run-Off Design

Ezpeleta reaffirmed the circuit's safety, crediting a tool developed six years ago with the University of Padua. This tool quantifies run-off areas based on expected relative speeds. He noted that tarmac run-offs have been added at the two fastest corners, turns 2 and 3, to help riders slow down before reaching gravel traps.

The circuit is 4.170 km long, with approximately 2 kilometres used for normal road traffic. Ezpeleta explained the design use three long straights and two corners, with the corner sections closed to traffic. The aim was to create run-off areas wherever space allowed within the parkland setting.

Rider Reactions and Phillip Island Departure

According to Ezpeleta, rider reactions after a Thursday safety commission meeting were very positive. He said seeing the video generated smiles and anticipation, with riders reportedly enjoying the proposed layout more than they expected from earlier plans.

The move marks the end of MotoGP's tenure at Phillip Island after the 2026 event. Ezpeleta cited several limitations at the iconic coastal circuit, including unpredictable weather that has led to cancelled sessions, logistical challenges with accommodation and travel from Melbourne, and rider complaints about suitability. He expressed gratitude for Phillip Island's history but highlighted Adelaide's greater event potential.

Environmental Mitigation

One controversial aspect of the project involves tree removal in the park. Construction will require felling 42 trees classified as 'significant' and another 335 deemed 'regulated, unregulated, invasive, dead or in poor condition' by the local council.

Ezpeleta stated environmental considerations were central to the track design. He claimed the number of trees affected would be increased tenfold through replanting in the park itself. The circuit will not affect public use of the park for many months of the year, and the total number of trees is expected to increase overall. Work on the circuit is set to continue until November next year, with the venue finalized just weeks before the 2027 grand prix.