Jack Miller, the sole Australian competitor in MotoGP, expressed both sadness and anticipation after the announcement that the Australian Grand Prix will move from the historic Phillip Island racetrack to a new street circuit located in Adelaide starting in 2027. While Miller described the loss of Phillip Island as “devastating,” he is also optimistic about Australia becoming the first country to host a premier MotoGP event on a city street course.
Miller emphasized the challenge of replacing one of MotoGP’s most celebrated venues with a city-based alternative but acknowledged the enthusiasm surrounding the Adelaide race.
“Obviously devastated to see Phillip Island go off the calendar,”
he stated.
“I’ve been racing motorbikes for 15 years – it’s probably the best track I’ve ever ridden.”
Excitement Grows Around Adelaide’s Bold Step Into Street Circuit Racing
Despite the difficult farewell to Phillip Island, Miller is encouraged by Adelaide’s commitment to hosting the event, calling it a significant move for Australian motorsport.
“But on the other hand, excited Australia has been bold enough to step up to the plate and be the world’s first on this street circuit,”
he said. He added that the city appears eager and proud to welcome the MotoGP race.
“The undertaking to put a MotoGP track in the heart of a city, go out on a limb and invest all that money – Adelaide seems over the moon to have it,”
Miller noted, highlighting the city’s enthusiasm following the announcement.
Local Support and Potential Benefits of Moving the Race to Adelaide
Miller was present for the official unveiling in Adelaide and shared his observations about the community’s reaction.
“Walking around the city and hearing the locals’ thoughts, everybody’s beyond stoked to have it in the city. So it’s cool for Australia,”
he remarked.
He recognized the emotional difficulty of leaving behind such a cherished location as Phillip Island but expressed optimism about the new event’s timing and atmosphere.
“Always tough leaving somewhere so magical like Phillip Island. But going to Adelaide in November, I believe the weather’s going to be amazing. The vibes will be amazing in the city,”
Miller said.
He also pointed out the convenience and excitement the proximity to Adelaide’s city center will bring for fans.
“It’s a six-minute walk from pit lane to the main street of Adelaide. So it’s going to be fun for all the punters and an amazing spectacle,”
he observed.
Comparisons and Limitations of the Adelaide Street Circuit
While Miller is enthusiastic, he was clear that the Adelaide track won’t match the thrill of Phillip Island’s fast, flowing layout.
“It is what it is. It’s a street circuit. Street circuits are never the most amazing circuits. No one ever goes to a street circuit and says, ‘Woah, it’s amazing’,”
he remarked.
Miller drew a comparison to the Balaton Park circuit in Hungary, which debuted last season and is also a stop-go style street track.
“The [Adelaide] track kind of gave me Balaton vibes, a little bit. Except it’s not in the middle of nowhere. It’s in a part of the city. So that’s pretty cool,”
he added.
He explained that street circuits typically lack the elevation changes and expanses found on venues like Circuit of the Americas or Phillip Island, making them inherently different in driving challenge and excitement.
“Street circuits are never going to be amazing with big hills and undulations like you get in COTA or Phillip Island,”
Miller said.
Safety and Design Considerations of the New Circuit
Miller noted that despite being categorized as a street circuit, Adelaide’s course will be situated in an area with significant parkland, allowing for adequate run-off zones to meet modern safety standards.
“Going over the design with Carlos [Ezpeleta], we’ve got a lot more tracks on the calendar that have walls closer than they have there, in terms of speed and run off area,”
he revealed.
He expressed confidence in the Australian approach to construction and safety, saying,
“I know how the Aussies go when building stuff like that. They’re generally full on with the safety aspect and quality of build. So no worries.”
Transition Period and Future Outlook for Australian MotoGP Fans
The final Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island is scheduled for October 23-25, 2026, marking the end of an era for one of MotoGP’s most iconic tracks. Adelaide will then stage its inaugural race in November 2027, ushering in a new chapter for the sport on home soil.
Jack Miller’s reflections underscore the bittersweet nature of this change: while the loss of Phillip Island is deeply felt, the opportunity to pioneer MotoGP racing on an urban street circuit in Adelaide carries exciting possibilities for the sport’s development in Australia and appeal to fans.
