Donington Park to host British MotoGP round in 2015

The 2015 British MotoGP race will be staged at Donington Park.

Spanish-based rights owners Dorna and the Circuit of Wales have reached an agreement to take MotoGP back to the Leicestershire venue for the first time since 2009.

Promotional rights for the British MotoGP were in the hands of the Circuit of Wales when Dorna recently announced a multi-year with the Welsh project from 2015 onwards.

The major stumbling block is the new Circuit of Wales in Ebbw Vale is not due to be ready until 2016 at the earliest, meaning a deal for 2015 had to be negotiated with Donington Park or Silverstone.

Silverstone appeared to be in the box seat given it has staged the British MotoGP round since 2010 and was keen on retaining the event by signing a new long-term deal.

But Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow will be doing battle at Donington Park next season after Dorna and the Circuit of Wales confirmed the deal earlier today.

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said: “The Circuit of Wales has worked very quickly to secure the best deal for the British race fans and we believe Donington Park will deliver a fantastic race in 2015. Donington Park has a long history and has been the scene of some of the most exciting MotoGP races in recent years and we are sure that the extensive works undertaken since it reopened four years ago will guarantee a successful event.”

Circuit of Wales representative Chris Herring, who has been negotiating with Donington Park and Silverstone management, added: “After announcing the long-term MotoGP agreement between Dorna and the Circuit of Wales three weeks ago our priority has been to agree the venue for 2015. It is in the interests of everyone, especially the fans, to make a decision as soon as possible and in Donington Park we have a venue that shares our vision for growing MotoGP in the UK.”

The date for the 2015 MotoGP race has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to take the end of August slot that has been given to Silverstone in the last two years.

The provisional 2015 MotoGP calendar is expected to be released at the end of the month.