MotoGP confirms Silverstone deal

The announcement follows autosport.com's news of the deal earlier today, and Carmelo Ezpeleta - boss of MotoGP promoter Dorna - says he is pleased to take the series back to Silverstone for the first time since 1986.

"We are delighted that the MotoGP World Championship is returning to Silverstone as of 2010," he said. "The venue has excellent facilities and a circuit with a great heritage, having hosted some superb grand prix racing in the 1970s and 1980s.

"We are sure that MotoGP's visits to the UK will continue to be highly successful when we make the historic move back to Silverstone next year."

Silverstone's managing director, Richard Phillips, added: "Silverstone is the UK's premier motor racing venue and we are thoroughly looking forward to hosting the world's premier motorcycle racing event from 2010. We have worked closely with Dorna Sports to bring MotoGP to Silverstone and both parties are extremely excited about the opportunity to take this world-class event to another level.

"Silverstone is a unique UK race circuit; rich in heritage and unrivalled in terms of what we are able to offer fans, championships and teams. The Grand Prix circuit offers a combination of high-speed straights and technical corners, presenting a real challenge to the riders, while the facilities for teams and spectators are second to none.

"The circuit is also recognised as being one of the most easily accessible in the world. All of these factors, along with Silverstone's vast experience of hosting world class international events, contributed to MotoGP coming to Silverstone."