MotoGP has often had to play second fiddle to Formula 1, but rarely have fans been left so angry by the consequences.
The two premier motorsports in Europe regularly collide over circuits and schedules, but in 2018, it was a new track surface that made things impossible for two wheels.
Silverstone was entirely resurfaced for the first time since 1996, reportedly in an attempt to make the conditions better for F1, but the same couldn’t be said for MotoGP.
Riders complained it was just as bumpy as before, and during Saturday practice, many of them hit the deck as rain started to fall.
Moto2 champion Tito Rabat suffered the worst consequences with a broken leg when he was struck by Franco Morbidelli’s bike, but there was far more drama to come a day later.
The heavens opened for Sunday’s race day, and although organisers brought the start time forward to avoid the trouble of the previous day, it soon became clear their efforts were in vain.
The revised start time of 11:30am passed without an engine started, and the 125,000 spectators in attendance were getting increasingly frustrated and soggy in equal amounts.
Track sweepers circulated the 5.891-kilometre iconic tarmac attempting to move water aside, but nothing worked, with drainage failing and standing water not budging.
Yet it wasn’t until 4pm when a final call was made to end the day over the tannoy system, provoking the loudest groans and boos Silverstone has heard in its 77 year history.
MotoGP race director Mike Webb later confirmed the cause of the cancellation, saying: “Yes, it is a direct result of the track surface.
“We had a number of years of experience here in very wet conditions recently with the old surface, and we’ve been able to run races.
Sweepers and brooms were used by marshals, but the rain couldn’t be movedGetty Fans suffered waits of around six hours before things were called offGetty“This year, with the new surface, is the first time we’ve encountered quite so much standing water in critical places of the track.
“It is pretty straightforward, we have been forced to cancel today’s event due to the track condition.
“We did everything we possibly could to run an event today, obviously, the very last thing any of us wants to do is to cancel an event. However, safety remains a priority.”
Silverstone’s managing director, Stuart Pringle, added: “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 [MotoGP organisers] Dorna that the teams were willing to race if conditions improved.
Riders were bombarded with questions that they couldn’t answerGetty“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.”
However, despite the anger in the stands, taking a step back, everyone realised the correct decision was made in a sport where deaths are all too common.
Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez commented: “It has been a long, unusual, tiring day that we hope won’t happen again.
“I think the race direction has to be thanked; they listened, and in the end, safety was everybody’s main consideration.
“One of us riders is in hospital already. Sometimes we must keep a cool head and think.”
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