The 2020 British MotoGP at Silverstone has been CANCELLED

The 2020 British MotoGP round at Silverstone has been cancelled after organisers were unable to agree terms with Dorna under the new quarantine restrictions due to be enforced in the UK.

The event, due to take place on August 28 – 30, had remained on the schedule despite a massive upheaval caused by the coronavirus but with Dorna close to arranging a new calendar based largely in mainland Europe, Silverstone bosses have now confirmed this year’s UK round won’t take place.

Intimating that it had an obligation to ‘protect the health and safety’ of its staff, a statement from MD Stuart Pringle says he ‘regrets’ it just wasn’t possible to get around the various challenges in hosting the event.

“As promised, I am writing to let you know the latest regarding the 2020 British Grand Prix MotoGP™ at Silverstone.

“It is with the deepest of regret we are letting you know the 2020 round of the MotoGP™ world championship, due to be held at Silverstone on August 28 - 30, will not be going ahead.

“Despite months of work behind-the-scenes to try and make this key event happen, logistical restrictions under the current situation, combined with a shortened and rearranged MotoGP™ calendar, has caused the cancellation of the event.

“Our obligations to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in preparing and delivering the event, our volunteer marshals and Race Makers, and of course, the amazing fans, means this is the best, safest and only decision to be made.

“The global Coronavirus pandemic has been an enormous challenge for the UK and Silverstone and I wish to thank all of you for your patience during this time.”

What will happen to your 2020 British MotoGP tickets

Pringle says those who have purchased a ticket for the 2020 British MotoGP will be able to defer it to next year, or receive a full refund.

“Nothing matters more to Silverstone and our owners, the British Racing Drivers’ Club, than taking care of our motorsport fans. I would like to reassure customers who have purchased a ticket that they will be given the option of either transferring their booking directly to 2021, or taking a full refund. 

“All customers will be contacted in the next few weeks with full details, so we do ask them to please be patient with us as we work through all our bookings.”

Dorna is expected to reveal a fresh provisional calendar in the coming days, which is set to begin with two back-to-back weekend events at Jerez before moving on to Austria. 

After the Spanish government threw the weight of support behind restarting MotoGP, it is expected many of the mid-summer events will take place in the nation before potentially moving overseas.

The British MotoGP’s cancellation comes despite efforts for Silverstone to ensure Formula 1 goes ahead in July. Though the incoming mandatory quarantine rules for the UK – which states all new arrivals must isolate for 14 days – was seemingly a factor in MotoGP not going ahead, F1 is expected to get an exemption after PM Boris Johnson intervened.

Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island cancelled too

The British MotoGP was one of two events to be cancelled today, with the Autumn jaunt to Australia also off the schedule due to the logistical difficulties of holding such a flyaway event at the moment. 

The two cancellations appear to suggest Dorna will be ready to reveal its new 2020 MotoGP calendar any day now.