P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The MotoGP British Grand Prix at Silverstone doesn’t have the same feel as it once did. Something feels missing from the pinnacle of two-wheeled racing at one of the world’s most prestigious and historic venues. Silverstone has been a key part of the two-wheeled Grand Prix calendar since 2010 after MotoGP decided to call it […]
Silverstone has been a key part of the two-wheeled Grand Prix calendar since 2010, following MotoGP’s decision to move from Donington Park. The decline in the British Grand Prix’s popularity was noticeable even before the COVID-19 pandemic, with various factors contributing to this trend. Attendance figures show a significant drop in turnout at Silverstone from 2017 onwards, despite a slight increase in 2021. The 2021 increase was largely attributed to Valentino Rossi’s final appearance in the UK, highlighting his influence on MotoGP fans. The absence of British riders in MotoGP, especially after Cal Crutchlow’s retirement in 2020, has also impacted the event’s appeal to local fans. Motorsport Week outlines five key factors explaining the rapid decline of the British Grand Prix, including the absence of British riders and the high-profile presence of Valentino Rossi.