British Grand Prix cancelled

Due to persistent rain from this morning, the track conditions at the resurfaced Silverstone circuit didn’t allow the riders to do a safe race today, therefore the 12thround of the 2018 MotoGP World Championship season had to be called off.

Johann Zarco

Championship: 7th – Points: 104

“The race was canceled after we were waiting a long time today hoping that the rain stops and we have less water on the track. We usually can race when it’s raining and although it was raining all day today, the rain was not very heavy. But with the new asphalt apparently, they did a mistake and it was so slippery with the bumps and there was aquaplaning. The crash on Saturday has been very strange and we could feel that almost every rider was already on the limit on the sighting lap. We took the decision we can not race because there was still too much water. It’s a pity we can’t go out there because we all were ready. But in the end, it’s safer to take this decision.”

Hafizh Syahrin

Championship: 16th – Points: 24

“The safety commission decided to cancel the race because there’s just too much water on the track. I can’t say much. We wanted to race, but there’s nothing we can do. It’s a pity with the new asphalt, so I hope they solve this kind of situation. I really wanted to go out and learn on the GP bike in these kind of conditions, but it’s decided and we need to accept. See you next year, Silverstone! Now we just look forward to the next race, trying to improve and learn.”

Hervé PONCHARAL

Team Manager

“I’ve always been a democrat and I respect the majority, I respect above everything the riders because they are the ones who take the risk and they can decide above anybody if it’s safe to ride or not. Personally, straight after the grid formation and when we decided – which was the right decision from race direction – to postpone the start of the race, all the team managers had a meeting and there was a possibility as tomorrow there is a bank holiday in the UK and tomorrow the sun will be shining, the track will be dry, so everything was ready for a great MotoGP race, which most of the time we have here at Silverstone. But some team managers decided that they didn’t want to do it, although we already did it in Qatar and it was not the end of the world to organize a few more rooms or change a few flight tickets. I have always been frank and said what I think and I think we should always try to race. There was a possibility to do it in a safe way and I’m disappointed we didn’t take it. But anyway, let’s forget about that, come out of here. We just can say that we feel very, very sorry for the spectators that have been around and waiting this race for a year and I think this should be more in our mind. We go back to the sunshine in the South of France and hopefully we’ll have great race in Misano.”

More, from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM:

BRITISH GRAND PRIX CANCELLED AT WEATHER HIT SILVERSTONE

RACE 12th Rd. MotoGP 2018 – Silverstone Circuit (GBR)

The twelfth round of 2018 MotoGP was cancelled after almost a full day of rain rendered the Silverstone circuit unrideable. The British Grand Prix was victim to the weather from 11am and after a sighting lap a consensus decision was made to wait for an improvement in the climate that failed to materialise.

Bradley Smith achieved his best qualification position on the KTM RC16 with 8th place in mixed conditions on Saturday but the twelfth Grand Prix of the 2018 campaign fell foul of the rain at Silverstone in the heart of England.

Warm-up was completed and the twenty-lap MotoGP race had been moved to the start of the programme to avoid the worst of the forecast but the rainfall was relentless and after a sighting lap where the bikes were clearly aquaplaning the first of a day-long delay process began.

At 16.00 GMT Race Direction cancelled the event and all three MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 outings with the British asphalt still submerged in water.

Mike Leitner (Team Manager MotoGP): “It was a shame for Bradley to be on the third row of the grid and not have the chance to race. In wet conditions he could have done very well. Also Loris (Baz): he did a great job to just jump on the bike without a test and there was a good connection with the team. It’s a shame but we have to accept the weather conditions and rider safety is first. We’ll look to Misano now.”

MotoGP should find warmer and brighter climes in two weeks time with the Grand Prix of San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for round thirteen of nineteen.

Next Race: September 9, 2018 – Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli (RSM)

Standings MotoGP 2018 after 12 of 19 rounds

1. Marc Marquez (ESP), Honda, 201 points

2. Valentino Rossi (ITA), Yamaha, 142

3. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP), Ducati, 130

4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA), Ducati, 129

5. Maverick Vinales (ESP), Yamaha, 113

KTM

15. Pol Espargaro (ESP), KTM, 32

19. Bradley Smith (GBR), KTM, 15

22. Mika Kallio (FIN), KTM, 6

Standings Moto2 2018 after 12 of 19 rounds

1. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA), Kalex, 189 points

2. Miguel Oliveira (POR), KTM, 186

3. Alex Marquez (ESP), Kalex, 113

4. Brad Binder (RAS), KTM, 111

5. Lorenzo Baldassarri (ITA), Kalex, 106

Standings Moto3 2018 after 12 of 19 rounds

1. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA), KTM, 158 points

2. Jorge Martin (ESP), Honda, 146

3. Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA), Honda, 121

4. Aron Canet (ESP), Honda, 118

5. Enea Bastianini (ITA), Honda, 117

KTM

6. Gabriel Rodrigo (ESP), KTM, 84

7. Jakub Kornfeil (CZE), KTM, 80

8. Marcos Ramirez (ESP), KTM, 67

10. Andrea Migno (ITA), KTM, 60

22. Darryn Binder (RSA), KTM, 20

More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:

Torrential rain across England forced the cancellation of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday. LCR Honda CASTROL rider Cal Crutchlow had qualified in fourth position on the grid for his home race, but awful conditions denied the local hero a chance to compete in front of his own fans.

Race direction opted to move the MotoGP race forward to an 11.30am start on Sunday morning to try and ensure that the event took place. However, heavy rainfall throughout the day saw that start time pushed back as track conditions worsened, with large areas of standing water around the circuit. Eventually, shortly after 4pm local time, the decision was taken to cancel the race altogether.

Cal Crutchlow

“I’m devastated not to be able to race at my home Grand Prix, it was very disappointing that today went how it did with regards to the weather situation. The safety commission decided that we delayed and delayed all day and then decided finally that the track condition was not safe to ride due to standing water on the asphalt. But it was a very, very sad day for the fans and I’m truly sorry for them having come out in force to support me and all the MotoGP racers. We’re just sorry we couldn’t put on a show, as always I would have tried my best and I will try my best in the next Grand Prix also.”

More, from a press release issued by Movistar Yamaha:

SOAKING CONDITIONS AT SILVERSTONE CAUSE BRITISH GP CANCELLATION

After four and a half hours of waiting and several meetings between IRTA, Dorna, and the MotoGP teams, it was ultimately decided that the British Grand Prix was to be cancelled.

Silverstone (UK), 26th August 2018

Due to safety concerns and track conditions the GoPro British Grand Prix has been cancelled.

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP‘s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi were keen on racing in front of the British fans today at the Silverstone Circuit. Unfortunately, due to the very wet conditions right before the rescheduled GoPro British Grand Prix start at 11:30 local track time (GMT+1), the MotoGP race was delayed.

After four and a half hours of waiting and several meetings between IRTA, Dorna, the MotoGP teams, and the riders, it was ultimately decided that the British Grand Prix was to be cancelled.

Though the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team and its riders were disappointed not to be able to ride today, there’s a consensus on the decision that safety should come first.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI

TEAM DIRECTOR

This is a unique experience in special conditions. Having a race cancelled is a worst-case scenario and a last resort. However, I think we can all agree that safety of the riders should always come first. It would have been irresponsible to send them out on track today, knowing their concerns regarding aquaplaning. Our hearts go out to the fans that have been patiently waiting and had been looking forward to the British GP. We are also thankful to the marshals and volunteers, who didn‘t abandon their station for several hours whilst we were all waiting for a verdict. We‘re all disappointed, but we respect and agree with this decision. We hope for better weather at the next round in Misano.

More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:

BRITISH GP CANCELLED AT SILVERSTONE

Torrential rain across England forced the cancellation of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday. LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider Takaaki Nakagami had qualified in 19th position on the grid, but was denied the chance to race at the circuit where he won last year’s Moto2 race because of the terrible conditions.

Race direction opted to move the MotoGP race forward to an 11.30am start on Sunday morning to try and ensure that the event took place. However, heavy rainfall throughout the day saw that start time pushed back as track conditions worsened, with large areas of standing water around the circuit. Eventually, shortly after 4pm local time, the decision was taken to cancel the race altogether.

Takaaki Nakagami

“Unfortunately the conditions were very bad. We tried to make a race, but finally race direction decided to put safety first and cancel all three races. Of course I’m very disappointed as I wanted to race, but we have to think about safety and I think it was the right decision. Of course, I’m very sorry for the fans and the media, but now we just have to think about the next race in Misano. We’ve already had one day testing there and it went really well, so that will be really important for the team as it’s a home race and hopefully we can make a good result there.” 

More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:

British GP cancelled due to bad weather

Unfortunately, yesterday’s weather-related decision to move today’s MotoGP race start forward to 11:30 a.m. local time proved ineffective when a steady, heavy rain began falling on the Silverstone Circuit this morning.

With track conditions deemed unsafe due to drainage issues, and with the rain itself failing to let off, the start was delayed repeatedly before the British GP was ultimately cancelled by the Race Direction.

Marc Marquez 93

“It has been a long, unusual, tiring day that we hope won’t happen again. The Safety Commission analysed the situation and I think the Race Direction has to be thanked; they listened, and in the end, safety was everybody’s main consideration—one of us riders is in hospital already. During the day, I watched the screen and saw all the fans in the grandstands patiently waiting; it would have been good to reward them, but in the end, sometimes we must keep a cool head and think.”

Dani Pedrosa 26

“I think it was obvious that with this weather, the track wasn’t in a proper condition to race today. The Safety Commission agreed that it wasn’t safe enough, and I think it was a right decision. It’s a great shame because racing is what we always prefer to do. And we tried very hard actually, first moving up the start and then later delaying it as long as possible. Of course we’re sorry for the fans who came to see us and waited for us all day, but I’m even sorrier for Tito, who is injured and has a long recovery ahead.”

More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:

BRITISH GP CANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER

The twelfth round of the 2018 MotoGP season, held at Silverstone Circuit, was cancelled after extreme weather conditions left the track unsafe to ride.

Revisions made to the schedule on Saturday night were put in place to try and ‘beat’ the weather, and Warm-Up was in fact dry. But heavy rain throughout the day, coupled with the new track surface and cold temperatures, left a large quantity of standing water on the track. After the initial postponement of the race start, there were several meetings between IRTA, Dorna, the teams and riders, and the decision was taken to cancel the race on safety grounds. It will not be rescheduled.

Ken Kawauchi – Technical Manager

“It’s a big pity that we cannot race, but we saw during yesterday’s crash that safety needs to take priority, as always – so we accept this decision. This weekend we struggled a little bit compared to what we expected. We’ll try again in the next race and arrive with good expectations. Next we’ll have a test in Aragon, and we have many items to try. Some things are for this year, and some for next year. But of course, we’ll try to find something to benefit us for the rest of this season.”

Davide Brivio – Team Manager

“It’s been a difficult day with very difficult conditions. We feel very sorry for the public who have been waiting all day, and also it’s a shame for the people waiting to watch on TV around the world. It’s sad when we have to cancel a race, and nobody wants that, but here the condition of the circuit was critical and the safety was not at a high enough level. We had a bad accident yesterday with Rabat, and it could have been worse, especially with other riders involved and nobody wants something bad to happen. After three weeks of fantastic weather in England it’s unfortunate to arrive when it rains, and especially at a track where there’s a problem with rain. We have to learn from this experience and situation and try to avoid it happening in the future, for sure we will all be discussing it with the organisers.”

Andrea Iannone

“Finally the Safety Commission decided not to proceed with the race. We have made all the needed evaluation together with the Race Direction, but of course the safety of us, the riders, must be considered as the priority and today the conditions of the track were not safe enough to race. I understand that it is a shame for all our fans, we met a lot of great fans here this weekend and I feel sorry.”

Alex Rins

“Unfortunately we couldn’t race in the end. The weekend was pretty difficult because of the rain and the asphalt conditions and finally the Safety Commission decide not to race for safety reasons. I had a crash on Saturday and I realised how critical it was to ride in wet conditions here in Silverstone this weekend. I feel very very sorry for all the fans that came here and had to bear the cold temperatures, wind and rain, they were hoping to see us and they were disappointed.”

More, from a press release issued by Michelin:

MICHELIN HAS NO CHANCE TO SHINE AT SILVERSTONE ON RACE DAY AS GRAND PRIX IS CANCELLED 

Michelin and the whole MotoGP™ paddock including Moto2™ and Moto3™ were forced to sit and watch heavy rain fall over the Silverstone circuit today before a decision was made to cancel all of the races at the GoPro British Grand Prix without a wheel being turned.

This morning’s warm-up sessions went ahead as planned and a change had been made in the timetable to start the MotoGP race earlier, as weather forecasts had predicted a huge rain storm to hit the area around midday. Unfortunately, heavy rain came just as the MotoGP field lined up to start the race and as standing water quickly formed it was deemed too dangerous to start the race. Despite regular checks by the Safety Officer, it was decided by the Safety Commission – which is made up of the MotoGP riders – to cancel all proceedings due to track conditions.

Michelin and MotoGP will now head to Misano in Italy for the next round of the championship on Sunday 9th September with a hope for better weather.

Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:

“Today has been very disappointing, but at the end the safety of all the riders is the important thing. The track conditions had been difficult all weekend, but our tyres had coped very well with the bumpy track – despite it being resurfaced this year – and with the wet surface yesterday. Today’s conditions were very bad with lots of standing water, so it would have been almost impossible to ride. We now head to Misano and hopefully we will have better weather there.”

More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

British Grand Prix at Silverstone cancelled due to bad weather conditions

The British Grand Prix, round 12 of the MotoGP World Championship, which was due to be held today, was cancelled due to bad weather conditions at the Silverstone circuit.

The race start had been brought forward to 11.30 local time (12.30 CET) to try and avoid the risk of rain, after yesterday the Race Direction had to interrupt the FP4 session due to flooding at certain points of the circuit, which had caused several riders to crash, with serious consequences for Tito Rabat.

Unfortunately the weather conditions did not improve during the day and after a number of postponements, at 16.00 local time (17.00 CET) the organizers decided to cancel all of today’s scheduled races after consultation with the MotoGP riders.

The next round is the San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix, which will be held at the Misano World Circuit ‘Marco Simoncelli’ from 7th to 9th September.

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team #99)

“Yesterday’s weather forecast turned out to be right and it rained all day today. We only managed to do the warm-up in dry conditions and then it didn’t stop raining and the track was in a bad condition. This confirmed that the asphalt wasn’t draining well and as time went by the situation didn’t improve. When it was late, the riders met with the Race Direction and we decided to cancel the race because the track didn’t offer the right conditions to race in safety.”

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04)

“It was a real pity not to be able to do the race because we were very competitive, especially in the dry. A weekend that was going well for us turned into an unacceptable situation, and so now it will be necessary to understand exactly what happened. We’ll talk about it in the Safety Commission at the next race, because to resurface a track and then find out it has more bumps than before, together with a problem of drainage, is just not good enough for a championship of this level.”

More, from a press release issued by Reale Avintia Racing:

British Grand Prix cancelled due to safety reasons

MotoGP British GP – Silverstone

The British Grand Prix has been cancelled due to safety reasons. After the multiple accident on Saturday that resulted in a serious injury to the right leg for Reale Avintia rider, Tito Rabat, and despite the work carried out by Dorna and Silverstone circuit staff to improve the track’s drainage, a consistent rain came at 9:30 in the morning and it didn’t stop until the afternoon, so finally, the races have been cancelled.

The warm-up session started at 9:00 am, with the asphalt dry, but then the sky was covered with clouds and it has not stopped raining all day. After an unsuccessful attempt of race start, Grand Prix Commission did an emergency meeting to make a decision. It has been proposed to delay the races for Monday, but there has been no unanimity from the teams. At the end it was decided to wait for an improvement in the conditions, but finally, and after consulting the MotoGP riders, at 16:00h all the races were cancelled.

The best news of the day has come from the University Hospital of Coventry, where Tito Rabat, has been able to take his first steps with the help of a walker. Rabat will remain in the British hospital until Thursday, before traveling to Barcelona to start to work with Hospital Universitary Quiron Dexeus doctors and being able to assess the recovery time.

The next round of the MotoGP World Championship will be in Misano in two weeks.

Xavier Simeon

“Today was a very strange day. We hoped that the conditions would improve, or at least start a little earlier, but we had very bad luck. In the end all the riders, except one, have made the decision not to race with the track in such dangerous conditions. Especially after what happened yesterday with Tito, which for all of us was a miracle he didn’t sustained much more serious injuries. We’re very sorry for the fans, but it’s not our fault. This is something that was not seen for more than 30 years and, it is a pity, that with the current technology these things happen”.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Racing cancelled at Silverstone

Track conditions deemed unfit for racing, with the MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ races all cancelled

After the rain came down on Saturday and track conditions caused delays, the decision was taken to change the schedule for Sunday at the GoPro British Grand Prix. The MotoGP™ race was rescheduled for 11:30 local time (GMT +1), with the hour chosen according to the latest weather reports available at the time.

On Sunday, Warm Up sessions began at 9:00, with MotoGP™ out first, and the weather began to steadily worsen. By the time riders were on the grid awaiting lights out for the race at 11:30, they were worse still and the decision was taken to delay the start.

That began a long day of delays, with conditions continually monitored, until a decision was reached: conditions were not safe to race in and the track surface was too dangerous in the rain.

Racing was therefore cancelled and MotoGP™ will now head for Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the next round.

Managing Director of Silverstone, Stuart Pringle, apologised to the fans after the announcement – and says they will get in touch with each of them in the coming days to explain what action will be taken in the wake of the cancellation.

FIM Grand Prix Safety Officer Franco Uncini in a special Press Conference called following the cancellations

Race Director Mike Webb: “It was obvious the track conditions weren’t safe. After a consultation with the riders we delayed the start to see if conditions would improve. We have reached the point where even though the rain is getting less, the circuit is still not in a condition where we can safely run races. So, we’ve taken the very difficult and regrettable decision to cancel.

“We’ve had a number of years here in very wet conditions recently with the old surface and been able to run races. This year, with the new surface, it’s the first time we’ve encountered quite so much standing water in critical places on the track. Yes, it’s a direct result of the track surface, I must say from the circuit point of view, the staff have done an unbelievable effort over the whole weekend, not just today, but an enormous effort to make the track safe. Until the last minute that was still working but unfortunately, we couldn’t battle nature.

“The climate of the area means we’ve got to expect rain and the surface has to be able to handle it. They’ve done an enormous job over this weekend to try and improve things, which they have, but the nature of the surface means we’ve reached this point.”

More, from a press release issued by Angel Nieto Team:

BRITISHGP CANCELLED

The asphalt condition of the Silverstone circuit has prevented the MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 races from taking place

The British Grand Prix was cancelled this Sunday due to the condition of the asphalt of the Silverstone circuit and the rain that has kept falling throughout the day. For the first time since 1980, the organization of the Motorcycling World Championship has had to cancel a grand prix in a day in which only the warm-up sessions could be held. Previously, during the day yesterday, the race schedule was altered to put before the MotoGP category in order to avoid the heavy rain that was expected at midday.

However, this alteration has not prevented the delay in the MotoGP category, first, and the final cancellation of the whole race schedule, afterwards. The riders of the MotoGP category were already in their grid positions, but the track conditions were unsafe to start the race. Finally, almost five hours later, the organization, jointly with the teams and the riders, has decided to cancel the British GP.

Álvaro Bautista: “The track was in difficult conditions, because it does not drain all the water that has fallen and the water remained stagnant. It was a dangerous situation for everyone because it produced aquaplaning, and we decided that the best we could do was not race. I think we have made the best possible decision.”

Karel Abraham: “It’s a shame not to be able to compete in Silverstone, because it’s one of the tracks I like the most, but I think someone did not do a good job in the resurfacing. Anyway, the problem today was that the track did not drain well, which made the circuit very dangerous. It was impossible to ride like that, we saw it in the formation lap, when some riders have almost crashed. I think this was the best decision we could make.”