MotoGP: Silverstone boss apologises for cancelled Grand Prix

Silverstone CEO Stuart Pringle has apologised to fans for yesterday’s cancelled British Grand Prix, after the event was called off due to unsafe track conditions. Speaking to the media after last night’s race was called off, he said sorry not only for the cancelled race but for the length of time it took to reach a decision.

Originally attempting to miss the worst of the day’s rain by moving the race to an earlier start time, he admitted that with hindsight they could have made the decision earlier.

“Firstly and most importantly I would like to apologise to all of the race fans for the most trying and foulest of days at Silverstone. I am truly sorry this has happened. If I had known fans would have to wait for six hours in these conditions with this outcome, I would have taken the decision to cancel the event at midday. We were willing to cancel the meeting much earlier but I was assured by Dorna that the teams were willing to race if conditions improved.

“A plan was made at midday today in consultation with Dorna and Race Direction. We looked closely at the weather predictions provided by the Met Office with whom we were in regular contact all afternoon. The further delay in the afternoon was due to the forecast of the rain subsiding, however the final decision was made without our knowledge or input. We kept the decision to race open in good faith, however this was taken out of our hands.”

He also added that while he understands the disappointment to fans over the lack of racing, he says he’s working to address refunds as a matter of urgency.

“I’m very conscious of the amount of money people have spent on this event. We will be contacting all customers next week to explain what we are doing about the cancellation of this event. Nobody is more disappointed by the outcome of today than me and the incredibly hard-working team at Silverstone, who have done everything in their power to try and ensure the race could happen.”