A MotoGP fan does not need an introduction to late braking, tyre limits or the tension of a rider setting up a pass several corners in advance. What makes an F1 weekend interesting is seeing those familiar ideas expressed through completely different machinery.

Choosing Your First F1 Race

A motorcycle racing fan can start with the circuit rather than the driver standings. Someone who enjoys fast, flowing sections may be drawn to Silverstone, while heavy braking and long straights make tracks such as Monza interesting for a different reason.

Once that preference is clear, the Formula 1 calendar on Fanatix can be used to compare listed Grands Prix by city, circuit and date. The page currently covers events including Silverstone, Spa, Monza, Singapore, Austin and Abu Dhabi, so the first decision can remain about the type of track you want to experience.

The familiar names can also help. Silverstone and Circuit of the Americas have hosted

 both F1 and MotoGP, giving motorcycle fans a rare chance to watch another championship attack asphalt they already understand.

The Same Track Feels Different

COTA provides one of the clearest comparisons. Autosport lists a 1m36.169s F1 lap record and a 2m03.126s MotoGP record on the current layout, a gap of almost 27 seconds.

Top speeds alone do not explain it. Autosport points to the much higher cornering speed of an F1 car, particularly through COTA’s twisting first sector, where aerodynamic load and four large contact patches allow the car to carry speed in a way a bike cannot.

That is what makes a shared circuit so revealing. The braking marker may look familiar, but the point where the F1 driver turns in, the speed maintained through the corner and the time needed to change direction can be completely different.

What You Notice Trackside  

MotoGP makes the rider’s physical work impossible to miss. Body position, lean angle and movement under braking are part of what the spectator sees, while Formula 1 shifts more of the visual drama toward the behaviour of the car itself. A motorcycle racing fan is likely to notice several things quickly:

• F1 cars carry remarkable speed through fast corners where a bike needs a very different line.

• Braking zones can look surprisingly short because of the car’s downforce and braking performance.

• Different F1 cars may behave noticeably differently through the same corner.

• Pit stops can change track position in seconds and make strategy visible to the crowd.

• Tyre life affects when drivers attack, defend or manage their pace.

These details make it worth watching more than the leader. A midfield battle can reveal differences in traction, braking stability and tyre condition that are easier to spot when several cars arrive at the same corner close together.

For fans arranging several kinds of live events during a trip, the broader event catalogue reached through the F1 tickets link also includes Formula 1 alongside MotoGP, football, tennis and other categories. That makes the homepage more relevant when the weekend is being planned around more than one event rather than a single Grand Prix.

Silverstone Shows It Clearly

Silverstone may be the best circuit for seeing how differently the two disciplines interpret speed. A recent Motor Sport Magazine report described its 3.6-mile, 18-corner MotoGP lap as the longest of the season and highlighted the physical strain created by its flowing changes of direction.

Sections from Maggotts through Chapel demand rhythm from a MotoGP rider because one mistake can compromise several following corners. In F1, the same sequence becomes a demonstration of aerodynamic grip, rapid direction changes and how much speed a car can preserve through linked bends.

Autosport’s recorded lap figures underline the difference. Its comparison gives Silverstone records of 1m27.097s for F1 and 1m59.346s for MotoGP on the current layout.

Why Watch Both?

Watching both championships makes familiar details easier to notice. Braking technique, racing lines, tyre behaviour and overtaking preparation all become more interesting when the same problem is solved with completely different machinery.

MotoGP and Formula 1 do not need to compete for the title of “better” motorsport. Seeing both live simply gives a fan two ways to understand how much engineering, grip and human judgement can change what is possible on the same piece of race track.

 article supplied

From September 17–20, Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, will host the 5th Italian Bike Week, the late-season motorcycle festival born from the experience of Biker Fest International. The event celebrates the Adventure and Off-Road spirit of motorcycling while staying true to its deepest roots: the world of Custom motorcycles.

Once again, the Custom Bike Show will be one of the event's main attractions, reaffirming its status as a premier showcase for professional builders and passionate enthusiasts alike. The show is part of the Italian Motorcycle Championship (IMC) and is recognized as an official round of the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. Following the success of its 2025 debut, the ARTigliate Custom Contest also returns, dedicated to off-road-inspired custom builds based on Adventure, Scrambler, Tracker and Classic Enduro motorcycles.

We would be honored to welcome you as one of this year's exhibitors with one or more of your creations. Thanks to the vision of professional builders and talented enthusiasts, the show will once again become an outstanding showcase of Custom culture, where craftsmanship, style and personality come together in unique motorcycles capable of telling their story before the engine even starts. Along with the international exposure offered by the event, winners will receive a wide range of prizes provided by our official partners.

Entry to the Custom Bike Show is free and open to everyone. Simply download the registration form from the dedicated webpage and email the completed form to [email protected].

Italian Bike Week 2026 continues to be the place where ideas, talent and passion come together. We look forward to welcoming you to Lignano Sabbiadoro.

Automotive charity, Ben, has announced the appointment of a new Chair and four new Trustees as it enters an exciting new chapter in its ambition to transform the future of health and wellbeing across the automotive industry.

The appointments come as Ben embarks on developing its long-term vision to help create an industry where everyone can access the support they need to thrive. Additionally, where health and wellbeing become a shared responsibility across employers, colleagues and the wider automotive community.

With an ambitious road to 2030 where the charity is seeking to significantly increase its reach and support thousands more people, Ben will evolve its services, expand industry partnerships and develop new ways to improve wellbeing at every stage of people's lives and careers. The new Board appointments will play a key role in helping shape this future, bringing fresh thinking, strategic insight and extensive leadership experience from across the automotive, charity, public and commercial sectors.

Jonathan Hewett has been appointed as Chair of Ben, alongside new Trustees Darren Edwards, Georgina Hoare, Damian Oton and Pia Wilkes CBE.

Will Dalton has served as Interim Chair since March, providing strong leadership and continuity throughout the recruitment process. Ben thanks Will for his outstanding contribution during this period and is pleased that he will continue to serve on the Board as a Trustee.

Jonathan Hewett is Chief Executive of Thatcham Research, the UK's only automotive risk intelligence organisation. He brings extensive leadership experience across financial services, insurance, retail and technology, together with a strong track record in strategy, innovation and organisational development. Through his work at Thatcham Research, he has helped guide the automotive, insurance and repair sectors through a period of rapid technological change. Jonathan is also a Trustee of the National Motor Museum and, having grown up in a motor trade family, has a lifelong connection to the automotive industry and a deep commitment to the people who work within it.

Joining Jonathan on the Board is Darren Edwards, former Chief Executive Officer of Sytner Group, who brings more than 40 years of automotive leadership experience. Throughout his career, Darren has been a passionate advocate for colleague wellbeing and a long-standing supporter of Ben, including establishing a major fundraising initiative at Sytner. His expertise spans strategy, governance, leadership, technology, marketing and customer experience.

Georgina Hoare, Chief Executive of the PDA Society, joins the Board with extensive experience across the charity, health and social care sectors at senior leadership and board level. A qualified psychodynamic psychotherapist, organisational consultant and coach, she brings expertise in mental health, safeguarding, organisational development and charity governance, alongside a strong commitment to improving psychological health and wellbeing outcomes.

Damian Oton, Chief Commercial Officer at Motability Operations, brings more than three decades of automotive experience and expertise in commercial strategy, operational leadership, governance, transformation and partnership development.

Pia Wilkes CBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), is a qualified engineer with over 30 years' experience across the automotive sector. Having held senior leadership positions in both the public and private sectors, Pia is also a recognised advocate for diversity, inclusion and neurodiversity, bringing invaluable insight to Ben's future ambitions.

Rachel Clift, CEO of Ben, said: “These appointments mark an exciting moment in Ben's journey. We have bold ambitions, not only to reach thousands more people with life-changing and lifesaving support, but to help shape a future where health and wellbeing are embedded at the heart of the automotive industry.

“The challenges facing our industry continue to evolve and so must we. Together with our new Chair and Trustees, we have an incredible opportunity to reimagine how wellbeing is understood, delivered and championed across the automotive community. Their experience, insight and passion will help us inspire new thinking, build stronger partnerships and create lasting impact for generations to come.”

Jonathan Hewett, Chair of Ben, said: “It is a privilege to join Ben at such a pivotal moment. The charity has an ambitious vision for the future and an increasingly important role to play in helping shape a healthier, more resilient automotive industry.

“I look forward to working with my fellow Trustees, Rachel and the senior leadership team to help turn that vision into reality - growing Ben's reach, driving innovation and ensuring even more people can access the support they need throughout their lives and careers.”

For more information about our Board of Trustees, visit: www.ben.org.uk/board.