Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia says he is fine with MotoGP’s plans to race on the streets of Adelaide next year so long as it’s “safe” and in “a fun setting without doing it on a parking lot”.
MotoGP caused a major stir last month when it announced it would be moving the Australian Grand Prix from the iconic Phillip Island to a street circuit in Adelaide from 2027.
The news devastated fans and caused uproar within the local community on Phillip Island due to the economic impact this decision will have on the area.
The circuit in Adelaide is a modified version of that used by Formula 1 in the 1980s and early 1990s, with MotoGP Sports Entertainment (formerly Dorna Sports) insisting it will meet modern safety standards.
Asked about it in a new interview with GPOne, Pecco Bagnaia says he is fine with the idea and thinks the Adelaide circuit looks decent, so long as it doesn’t end up in “a parking lot”.
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“If it’s a safe track and we can race in a fun setting without having to do it in a parking lot, then I’m happy,” he said.
“I’ve seen the layout of the Adelaide track; it doesn’t look bad. [It’s] definitely better than Balaton Park, which is essentially a parking lot.
“It’ll be something different and interesting. Obviously, losing a circuit like Phillip Island is tough emotionally; it was really great to race there.”
Antonelli celebrates his maiden F1 victory in China.
© XPB Images
Bagnaia praises F1’s newest winner Kimi Antonelli
In the same interview, Bagnaia heaped praise on Formula 1’s newest winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who scored a maiden victory for Mercedes last Sunday in the Chinese Grand Prix.
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He is the first Italian to win an F1 race in 20 years and has spent time training with Bagnaia and the rest of the Valentino Rossi Academy previously.
“He’s so cool; it blows my mind to think he’s only 19, my brother’s age, and he’s already among the big names,” Bagnaia said of Antonelli.
“With Mercedes, he’s in the best possible position. He had an incredible weekend. Too bad about the sprint [where he got a penalty for a collision].
“I texted him, but he must be flooded with messages. We’ll catch up in the next few days. Maybe now he lives in San Marino, we’ll be able to see each other a bit more.”
Bagnaia will be back in race action this weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix, after a tough start to the new MotoGP campaign in Thailand.
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