News Summary
- Casey Stoner has blamed the Victorian Government for failing to protect Phillip Island’s place on the MotoGP calendar, questioning its priorities compared with Formula 1.
- The Australian Grand Prix will move to Adelaide in 2027 after organisers and Victoria failed to reach an agreement to continue racing at Phillip Island.
- Victoria has secured the return of Supercars to Phillip Island from 2027, but Stoner believes more could have been done to develop MotoGP’s appeal.
Casey Stoner has criticised the Victorian Government over the departure of MotoGP from Phillip Island, accusing officials of failing to give the Australian motorcycle Grand Prix the attention and support provided to Formula 1’s event in Melbourne.
The two-time world champion spoke to Melbourne newspaper Herald Sun ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, the final MotoGP event scheduled at Phillip Island before the championship relocates to Adelaide in 2027.
Stoner, who won six consecutive premier-class races at Phillip Island between 2007 and 2012, believes the venue’s loss reflects a failure to promote and develop the event rather than a lack of potential.
“I think it’s a lot to do with the Victorian government that’s dropped the ball with it,” Stoner said.
His criticism follows the breakdown of negotiations between MotoGP’s commercial rights holder and Victoria over an extension of the Australian Grand Prix contract.
The race will instead move to South Australia, where Adelaide is preparing to introduce a new street circuit for the 2027 championship.
Stoner questions Victoria’s priorities between MotoGP and F1
Stoner believes the Victorian Government could have done more to build an atmosphere around the Australian motorcycle Grand Prix comparable to the festival-style approach associated with Formula 1’s Melbourne event.
The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park has become one of the state’s largest international sporting events, with extensive promotional activity and entertainment surrounding the race weekend.
Phillip Island, by contrast, is located outside Melbourne and presents different logistical challenges, particularly regarding transport, accommodation and the facilities available around the circuit.
Stoner argued that those differences did not justify allowing the MotoGP event to lose momentum.
He believes more consistent promotion and greater investment could have helped develop the race’s appeal beyond the existing motorcycle racing audience.
His criticism was also directed at what he considered a failure to recognise the circuit’s importance to MotoGP and Australian motorsport history.
Phillip Island has hosted some of the championship’s most memorable races, becoming closely associated with its fast corners, unpredictable weather and close competition.
Stoner’s own record at the venue remains unmatched in the modern MotoGP era.
MotoGP leaves Phillip Island for Adelaide in 2027
The Australian Grand Prix will take place in Adelaide from 2027 under an agreement with the South Australian Government.
The move follows unsuccessful negotiations over extending Phillip Island’s contract, with the Victorian Government rejecting a proposal to relocate the motorcycle race to Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit.
Victoria confirmed that it had declined that request, maintaining its position on the future of motorcycle racing in the state.
MotoGP subsequently reached an agreement with South Australia to establish a new street-circuit event in Adelaide.
The 2027 MotoGP calendar confirms that Adelaide will host the Australian Grand Prix on November 14, ending Phillip Island’s current association with the championship.
The change will coincide with a major technical transition for MotoGP, including smaller 850cc engines and Pirelli tyres.
The Adelaide circuit is planned to measure approximately 4.13km and feature 15 corners.
Its introduction will also make it the championship’s first modern street-circuit event.
Phillip Island’s MotoGP farewell brings Stoner, Doohan and Gardner together
Stoner will participate in the final weekend’s celebrations alongside fellow Australian world champions Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner.
The three riders are scheduled to complete a ceremonial lap at Phillip Island before Sunday’s race, joined by 1993 world champion Kevin Schwantz.
The farewell will bring together some of the most successful riders associated with the Australian Grand Prix.
Stoner won the event on six consecutive occasions, beginning with Ducati in 2007 and continuing through his final championship-winning seasons with Honda.
Doohan won the 1998 Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, while Gardner triumphed at the circuit in 1989 and 1990.
The planned reunion of Stoner, Doohan and Gardner forms part of the official celebrations marking the end of the venue’s tenure on the MotoGP calendar.
Stoner’s criticism therefore comes as the championship prepares to recognise Phillip Island’s history while confirming its departure from the circuit.
Victoria secures Supercars return after MotoGP departure
The Victorian Government has responded to the loss of MotoGP by securing a new agreement with the Supercars Championship.
Phillip Island will host a Supercars Finals Series round from 2027 through 2031, reviving the Phillip Island 500 name under a five-year arrangement.
The return ends the circuit’s absence from Australia’s leading touring-car championship since 2019.
The agreement provides Phillip Island with another major national motorsport event, although it does not reverse the loss of its international motorcycle Grand Prix.
GRANDE PRÊMIO previously reported the Supercars agreement and its implications for Phillip Island.
Local tourism representatives have welcomed the return of Supercars while warning that additional events will be necessary to replace the economic activity generated by MotoGP.
Riders prepare for final MotoGP race at Phillip Island
The final Australian MotoGP weekend takes place from October 23–25.
Several riders have expressed disappointment at losing the circuit, which is known for its high-speed layout and distinctive racing conditions.
The event also carries championship significance, with Jorge Martín, Marc Márquez and Marco Bezzecchi involved in the title battle.
Sunday’s Grand Prix will determine the final premier-class race winner at Phillip Island under the current agreement.
Stoner will be present for the celebrations, bringing together the circuit’s record holder and the riders competing in its final championship race.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix at Phillip Island this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its MotoGP section.
