---
title: "MotoGP: 2018 British Grand Prix at Silverstone Cancelled Due to Heavy Rain"
description: "Track conditions were deemed too unsafe for riders and safety personnel."
date: "2018-08-26"
modified: "2018-08-26"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/23148/motogp-2018-british-grand-prix-at-silverstone-cancelled-due-to-heavy-rain"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "British Grand Prix"
  - "Jorge Lorenzo"
  - "Marc Márquez"
  - "MotoGP"
  - "motorcycle racing"
  - "racing"
  - "Racing News"
  - "Silverstone"
---

# MotoGP: 2018 British Grand Prix at Silverstone Cancelled Due to Heavy Rain

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/08/gettyimages-1023768668.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The 2018 MotoGP British Grand Prix was canceled due to torrential rains that hammered the region and made the legendary Silverstone too unsafe for riders, [safety personnel](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21566/motogp-debuts-all-new-mobile-medical-clinic-to-service-riders-and-teams>), and the general public.

According to MotoGP, the decision to pull the plug on one of the staples of the world championship was made after sanctioning body Dorna Sports, International Road Racing Team Association (IRTA) officials, and MotoGP riders held a meeting behind closed doors and agreed that conditions were [simply too dangerous](<https://www.thedrive.com/motorcycles/21484/14-year-old-motogp-hopeful-andreas-perez-dies-in-racing-crash>).

![message-editor%2F1535300268439-gettyimages-1023743676.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1535300268439-gettyimages-1023743676.jpg>)
*The MotoGP Safety Car inspects the circuit., *GETTY**

A statement from Dorna Sports explaining why the race couldn't be rescheduled to a later time on Sunday or even Monday hasn't been released, but an official update released four hours prior to the race's original start time simply stated that the race *had* to be held Sunday—period.

"Racing can only take place today under safe conditions, there is no option to hold the #BritishGP tomorrow," read a statement on MotoGP's [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/MotoGP/>) page. "A decision on if and when will be made ASAP"

It was only natural that a wide variety of opinions were voiced on social media, with organizers, riders, and fans chiming in with displeasure about the final decision. However, the majority were understanding that human lives can't be risked for the sake of a championship race. One of those opinions came from Herve Poncharal, founder of the [Yamaha Tech3](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20729/zarco-and-crutchlow-lead-motogp-motorcycle-racing-test-in-jerez>) MotoGP team.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1033702371724079106

Repsol Honda's [Marc Marquez](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/22171/king-of-the-ring-marquez-rides-to-ninth-consecutive-motogp-pole-at-sachsenring>), current championship points leader, shared on Twitter that he felt bad for all the fans who didn't get to see the show they paid for, but that rider safety was a priority. Marquez will now carry his points advantage into the next round at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the Grand Prix of San Marino on Sept. 9.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1033742580461256705

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)