The huge difference in attendance between Formula 1 and MotoGP at Silverstone is not down to a “lack of will”, according to former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner.
Silverstone’s 2026 F1 Grand Prix attracted nearly 600,000 spectators, while the British MotoGP event has struggled to draw similar crowds. In 2025, just 99,328 fans attended the MotoGP weekend, meaning F1 was roughly six times more popular in terms of attendance.
MotoGP’s 2026 figures are not yet available, but the contrast remains striking. F1’s record crowd arrived despite the championship experiencing one of its less exciting periods on the track, suggesting that the popularity of an event is not necessarily determined by the quality of the racing itself.
MotoGP has also faced criticism in recent seasons, with tyre-pressure regulations, increasingly complex aerodynamics and ride-height devices contributing to more spread-out races and fewer overtaking opportunities.
However, Steiner believes the bigger factor is the overall cultural impact of the event. Modern motorsport audiences are increasingly attracted not only by the racing but also by the atmosphere, entertainment and wider appeal surrounding a Grand Prix.
That may explain why MotoGP is looking to expand its presence in major destinations such as Buenos Aires and Adelaide rather than continuing to rely solely on traditional venues.
Silverstone, however, has shown that a historic circuit located far from a major city can still become one of the world’s biggest annual sporting events when it successfully builds a strong identity and cultural appeal around its race.
