Stoner pleased to be returning to “preferred” Silverstone

The MotoGP World Championship visits the first of two new circuits in 2010 this weekend when the newly redeveloped Silverstone hosts the AirAsia British Grand Prix, and Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner cannot wait to go back to a venue he has raced at before.

The Australian will face a new layout this weekend but holds fond memories of his previous experiences at Silverstone when he rode in the 2000 and 2001 British Championship as a youngster, and he prefers it to Donington where the British round has been held since it left Silverstone after 1986.

“I am really pleased that MotoGP is going to Silverstone. I raced there when I was living in England, before I started in the World Championship, but not on the current layout, which has been changed a lot for this year and there is really only one section left that I know,” said Stoner.

“Anyway, it will be a fast circuit, one of the fastest on the calendar, and one of the most spectacular and I’m sure there’ll be a great atmosphere. I can’t wait to go there because I have always preferred Silverstone to Donington Park. I think it will be more fun for the riders and for the fans too,” concluded Stoner, who currently occupies eight place in the overall standings and is still in search of his first podium finish of the 2010 campaign.