MotoGP confirms Race Direction changes for 2026

The Permanent Bureau, which consists of the FIM and the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, has revealed changes to some of the most important positions for 2026, including the role of Race Director. 

Mike Webb has moved from his long-standing role as the MotoGP Race Director to the position of Race Direction Coordinator, which is a new role for 2026. 

Replacing Webb as the Race Director is Graham Webber, while his former deputy Race Director role has been taken over by Jack Gorst. 

All three members will work together as part of the new-look team that is responsible for Race Direction at each of the 22 Grands Prix events on the 2026 calendar. That includes all Grand Prix classes and other on-track competitions at MotoGP events, such as the new Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup.

Also part of the Race Direction team is FIM representative Bartolome Alfonso, who is also the FIM Safety Officer, and MotoGP SEG representative Loris Capirossi. 

Continuing in the role of technical director is Danny Aldridge, while the stewards panel will again be led by former racer Simon Crafar.

The 2026 MotoGP season gets underway on 27 February to 1 March in Thailand, at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, before round two heads to Brazil on 20-22 March. 

The Goiânia International Racetrack Ayrton Senna is not new to MotoGP, as the world championship raced there between 1987 and 1989. However, the circuit has undergone upgrades in order to make its return to the calendar.

Before racing gets underway, though, MotoGP riders and teams will have one final pre-season test to get through, which takes place this weekend at the same venue as the 2026 season-opener.

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