MotoGP: 2022 British Grand Prix moved to earlier August date

The 2022 British Grand Prix at Silverstone will move to an earlier date in August, with the event taking place on August 5-7.

In recent years the British round of MotoGP has taken place over the course of the August Bank Holiday weekend, except for the 2016 round which was held on the first weekend of September.

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The new date has been agreed in cooperation with series owners Dorna to fit in with the 2022 revised calendar that is currently being finalised by the MotoGP series organisers.

“We are excited to announce the new date as part of our long-term commitment to two-wheel racing at Silverstone,” Silverstone Managing Director Stuart Pringle said. “We want everyone to experience the highest level of motorcycle racing in the UK and we are investing a huge amount of time, money and resource into making Silverstone as good as it can be for MotoGP and our fans.

“We also want all of those who are attending Silverstone this year to return and we are fully focused on attracting a new wave of fans who can enjoy a memorable weekend of racing and entertainment.”

According to Dorna, 142,000 British fans attended Silverstone over the course of the weekend. The attendance for race day was recorded at 67,000 fans, who flocked to the circuit to see Valentino Rossi race in the UK for the final times. Fans also gave their support to MotoGP newcomer Jake Dixon, as well as fellow Brits Sam Lowes and John McPhee.

Whilst this years’ race was won comfortably by championship leader Fabio Quartararo, Silverstone is known for its unpredictability. Its layout allows the riders to showcase what their MotoGP bikes are capable of when they’re able to stretch their legs on an intense, challenging, and wide GP circuit. Quartararo was the seventh different winner in as many races at Silverstone.

“As we all know, Silverstone is a legendary and iconic racetrack, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta added. “We’re happy to return to the venue earlier in the summer in 2022 to give us the best chance to enjoy its incredible layout and speed in the best possible weather. We’ve seen some incredible races here and I look forward to seeing many more.”

The provisional date for the 2022 British GP, provisional until ratified by the FIM, follows news regarding the pre-season tests and season opener in Qatar. The MotoGP riders will have a two-day test at Sepang on February 5-6, as well as three days at the new Mandalika circuit in Indonesia on February 11-13. Factory test riders and rookies will attend a three-day shakedown test at Sepang between January 31 and February 2.

The MotoGP class will have two tests early in 2022, plus the shakedown test at Sepang International Circuit for factory test riders and rookies only. The second test will take place at the new Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia. The Moto2 and Moto3 classes will have one three-day test at Jerez on February 22-24.

Round one of the 2022 season has been pencilled in – provisionally – for March 4-6, much earlier than in previous years. The Qatar GP will once again take place under the floodlights at the Losail International Circuit.

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