Silverstone confirms full resurfacing, extends British MotoGP deal

Silverstone has confirmed a full circuit resurfacing will take place in June as part of its preparations for the 2019 British MotoGP, while the track has secured a one-year contract extension to host the race until 2021.

Following the cancellation of the British MotoGP last year due to unsafe track conditions in heavy rain, championship organisers had demanded the track must be resurfaced in order to meet FIM circuit safety and homologation standards.

Silverstone has previously announced a resurfacing would take place once it had completed its own investigation into how the track had deteriorated despite being updated last year prior to the British round.

In a release from Silverstone, it has confirmed a full resurfacing will take place in June in preparation for both the Formula 1 British Grand Prix in July and the British MotoGP in August.

Track work will be carried out by construction company Tarmac and overseen by consultant Jarno Zaffelli, who has overseen successful resurfacing jobs at Sepang and Termas de Rio Hondo, which have gathered praise since the last MotoGP races at the respective circuits.

Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle is delighted with both the resurfacing confirmation and the British MotoGP contract extension.

“Getting to this point has involved a lot of work by the staff at Silverstone but throughout it all we have been completely focused on making sure we make the right decisions to guarantee the future of our most important events with Formula 1 and MotoGP,” Pringle said.

“We have a globally-renowned company working on the surfacing of the track and we have one of the most respected circuit designers in Jarno Zaffelli working as an expert advisor to Silverstone during the works.

“The extension to the MotoGP contract is excellent news for all of us at Silverstone and allows us to plan long-term for the future development of MotoGP, and all two-wheel action, at our circuit. We look forward to making the MotoGP weekend the best motorcycling event in the UK biking calendar.”

Tramac’s managing director Paul Fleetham is convinced the team put together will deliver a high-quality resurfacing following the problems Silverstone faced last year.

“We are exceptionally proud to be working with the team at Silverstone to resurface the iconic British race circuit,” Fleetham said. “It demonstrates both the quality of our people and our first class track record in delivering high-profile, nationally significant schemes.

 “We’ve assembled a highly skilled team of professionals from across the country who will be working with pioneering innovations in automated construction to deliver the project to the highest possible standard. We look forward to getting underway.”

MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta added: “The extension to the contract at Silverstone is a mark of the confidence we have in the circuit to host a successful MotoGP event over the next three years.

“Silverstone is one of the most historic of all the MotoGP venues and we have been working closely with Silverstone to ensure the race has a successful future. We will be assisting with any changes that need to be made regarding the track surface after the events of the 2018 MotoGP.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Silverstone in what will be the highlight of the motorcycle racing calendar in the UK.”