MotoGP race in Abu Dhabi tipped to be 'once again re-evaluated'

13:30, 23 Jan

byAndrew McLarney

This iconic Yas Marina circuit, which has played host to Formula 1's season finale for more than a decade now, is tipped for once again being considered as a potential host for MotoGP races in the future.

The setting of many iconic title deciders such as Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton in 2021 and the intense four-way showdown of 2010 which saw Sebastian Vettel win his first world championship, Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit already holds a firm place in the minds of motorsport fans.

The circuit would have to change in the future in order to accommodate motorcycle racing, which inevitably has slightly different demands in relation to run-off areas and the placement of barriers.

Speaking in a recent interview with GPOne, former FIM safety officer Franco Uncini has said that he believes Liberty Media could be looking to incorporate the track into the MotoGP calendar for future seasons.

"Years ago we went to visit the Abu Dhabi circuit because even then Dorna wanted to organise a Grand Prix there."

He said, "At that time, the FIA was on one side and the FIM on the other. Even though I worked hard to bring the two federations together, the world of cars was simply not ready to make concessions for the world of motorcycles.

"These days it has become easier to organise certain things because the owner of Formula 1 and MotoGP is the same."

Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

He is, of course, referring to Libery Media's recent acquisition of Dorna Sports which was completed in 2025, giving the American media giant a monopoly on both premier classes of four-wheel and two-wheel motorsport.

The acquisition has already led to suggestions that MotoGP adopt a similar approach to F1 of adding street circuits to the calendar, but safety measures would need to be drastically improved.

Uncini continued: "It would be spectacular to see MotoGP in such a setting, but Abu Dhabi would need adequate run-off areas. [...] We weren't asking for everything to be gravel, but one-third asphalt and two-thirds gravel. It wasn't possible then, but why not today?"

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