Abu Dhabi to host MotoGP in 2011?

The spectacular Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi is bidding to host a round of the MotoGP world championship next year.

Loris Capirossi and Casey Stoner were among a small delegation from MotoGP who visited the billion pound venue immediately after the recent Qatar MotoGP clash in Doha.

The pair were joined by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and renowned track designer Hermann Tilke at a circuit inspection, speaking to bosses about the modifications that would be required for the venue to host a MotoGP race in 2011.

Capirossi told MCN this morning in the Jerez paddock in Spain that he believed the Yas Marina circuit could be part of the 2011 calendar, with circuit bosses adamant that safety modifications to the Formula One track could easily be made.

Italian Capirossi, who recently broke the Grand Prix appearance record in Qatar when he contested his 300th world championship encounter, told MCN: “I’ve never seen anything like that place in my life.

“It is an amazing venue and like Disneyland. It really does blow your mind. They have spent an unbelievable amount of money on building that track and it is incredible.

“The layout of the circuit is really interesting but not 100 per cent safe for MotoGP. We made three of four laps of the track and we stopped in each corner to give our impression.

“Everything we asked for they agreed and they said they could do it without any problem. At one point we wanted the layout modifying and they said it was no problem.

“Now we will wait and see but the idea is for them to have a race next year.”