New delay announced, MotoGP race first
12:30 Update: MotoGP announces a further delay of on-track racing by up to 3 p.m. due to persistent bad weather limiting the visibility of the medical helicopter, and that MotoGP should now be the first race of the day.
The priority is clearly to try to organize the premier class Grand Prix and then see if it is possible for Moto2 and perhaps Moto3 to move forward depending on the track conditions and the light on the day.
Maximo Quiles has already been crowned the 2026 Moto3 champion, but the MotoGP and Moto2 titles remain hotly contested – although Jorge Martin will miss today’s MotoGP race, if it goes ahead.
The final MotoGP race to be held at Phillip Island before the event moves to Adelaide next season was scheduled to start at 2pm, after Moto3 and Moto2. The warm-up has already been canceled.
Rain delay Sunday at Phillip Island, 2026 Australian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
Latest official MotoGP update: ‘Poor visibility continues to affect medical helicopter operations at the Red Bull Australian Grand Prix. It is now confirmed that there will be no on-track action until 3 p.m. local time. Once the on-track action can begin, the MotoGP Grand Prix will take place first. The next update will be posted at 2 p.m.
MotoGP warm-up canceled
11:00 Update: MotoGP confirms that the warm-up has been canceled due to ongoing visibility issues and that there will be no on-track action until 1am local time. It’s still raining a lot at the moment.
Additional delay
10:45 a.m. Update: MotoGP has announced that an 11am start for the delayed MotoGP warm-up at Phillip Island will not be possible due to ongoing visibility issues affecting the operation of the medical helicopter.
There are rumors that the ten-minute warm-up could be canceled entirely and the entire race pushed back to this afternoon. Moto3 was scheduled to start at 11 a.m., Moto2 at 12:15 p.m. and MotoGP at 2 p.m.
Rain delay Sunday at Phillip Island, 2026 Australian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
Poor visibility delays Sunday’s action at Phillip Island
Sunday’s Australian MotoGP track events have been delayed due to poor visibility preventing the medical helicopter from operating at Phillip Island.
After a dry Friday, showers arrived on Saturday morning but cleared in time for the afternoon Sprint race, won by Marc Marquez.
Marquez starts today with a ten-point lead in the World Championship over Jorge Martin, who was ruled out after fracturing his right forearm in Saturday’s race.
However, much heavier rain is forecast for Sunday, with between 15 and 35 mm expected, accompanied by strong winds and cool temperatures.
Marc Marquez, Australian MotoGP 2026.
© Gold and Goose
The MotoGP warm-up was scheduled for 9:40 a.m. local time, followed by the Moto3 Grand Prix at 11 a.m. and the Moto2 race at 12:15 p.m.
Australia’s final MotoGP race at Phillip Island is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
However, on-track action is not expected to begin until 11am local time, starting with the MotoGP warm-up.
An official MotoGP press release explains:
The seven riders still in contention for the MotoGP title after the Phillip Island Sprint.
© Peter McLaren
MotoGP on-track action delayed
“Due to reduced visibility affecting the flight capability of the medical helicopter, the MotoGP track events at the Red Bull Australian Grand Prix will be delayed until an expected improvement in conditions around 11am local time.”
“The first session that should take place will be the warm-up session for the MotoGP category, as soon as the conditions improve.
“Further updates will follow once confirmed.”
Gn sports
