Australian GP: These were the official reasons for the Phillip Island cancellation

Long before the 2026 Australian Grand Prix became a reality, its special status had already been established. The background to this is the definitive decision to end the event at the historic Phillip Island circuit. Not least due to the many controversies before and during the event – the farewell was meant to be a dignified ‘final roar’.

Unsurprisingly, however, the weather showed no mercy to the emotions of those involved. Following heavy downpours during the night, the entire area was shrouded in a cool, damp haze, with no sign of the weather improving. The organisers had to revise the schedule several times. Then, at around 2.00 pm local time, the decision was initially made to cancel the Moto3 and Moto2 races.

The focus shifted to the MotoGP highlight; the suspense was maintained, with the opening of the pit lanes for the GP race announced for 4.00 pm local time. But at exactly 3.35 pm local time, the decision was made and the Australian Grand Prix was officially cancelled.

Shortly afterwards, in addition to the brief message displayed on the event screens, the MotoGP Race Director explained the decision, which was difficult to accept – and not just from the fans’ perspective. Graham Webber: “It’s a shame and a real pity. We’ve been working all day to deliver the spectacle the fans were hoping for, and have done everything we could to stage the event as best as possible. Initially, we tried to do this by revising the schedule several times and pushing back the start times. But in the end, the weather ruined everything. There were several updates and hopes that the weather would improve in the afternoon, but it didn’t turn out as we’d hoped.”

Renndirektor der MotoGP: Graham Webber

Foto: Gold and Goose

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Webber explained that it wasn’t just about the condition of the circuit: “A key factor was the deployment of the rescue helicopter, which wasn’t possible under these circumstances. Racing at Phillip Island depends on the helicopters being operational. During the GP weekend, transport by road to Melbourne takes nearly two hours, which is not an option.”

Regarding the possibility of postponing the start of the race even further, the official in charge said: “Added to this was the issue of temperatures, which drop very rapidly after a certain point. As far as MotoGP racing tyres are concerned, this is a thoroughly critical factor.”

However, the decision was not an easy one, as Webber emphasised once again: “We are fully aware of what the cancellation means for the fans. We were all elated and full of anticipation after Saturday’s thrilling sprint race. It’s a real shame that it didn’t work out because of the weather. But ultimately, the safety of the riders is our top priority, and it is our duty to do everything we can to ensure that and to operate in accordance with our regulations.”

Phillip Island und die MotoGP – das wars

Foto: Gold and Goose