The German MotoGP race may not take place at Sachsenring in the 2019 season after a dispute between ADAC and circuit owners.
ADAC has the deal to host the German Grand Prix until the 2021 season with Dorna but losses in 2017 forced the German federation to cut down its deal with Sachsenring early, with no alternative venue been finalised yet.
Talks are on with other circuits which includes Nurburgring. The last time it hosted a world championship race was in 1997 when the premier class ran as 500cc. Prior to that it staged the German GP for 16 times since 1950.
The other possible venue could be Hockenheim which last hosted the world championship race in 1994 and has staged the race for 21 other times since 1950. Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi believes Nurburgring could be a better option if Sachsenring goes off.
“It’s a shame because for me Sachsenring is a very particular track,” he said. “Sometimes [it is] not easy, but different than all the rest [of the circuits], especially for up and down, for the downhill and uphill.
“Long time here [at Sachsenring]. I think the first time was in 1998 [and] the track changed during the years. Where we can go? Maybe the new Hockenheim, but I think it is a very car track – Formula 1 track.
“I was there with the car and it is not so bad, but I don’t know with the bike. Or I think the new Nurburgring, I [have] raced at the circuit in the old times I think 1996-1997 – always difficult weather.
“But [overall] the track was good, also for the bike I think so – maybe we have these three options,” he added, while joking that he lost a bet to Pramac Racing Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci over Sachsenring losing the German GP hosting rights.
His rival Honda’s Marc Marquez felt it is a shame to lose Sachsenring – the track where the Spaniard has been dominant since 2010. He won in the 125cc category that year, followed by a double win in Moto2 class and five straight MotoGP victories since 2013.
“I am very disappointed of course,” he said. “We will see. I think one race in Germany we need to have for the championship, because we have many-many fans here and also for the manufacturers it’s important.
“It’s one of the most important countries in Europe. We’ll see, it’s not clear, but I hope to continue here, honestly speaking.” His sentiments was echoed by fellow countryman and Rossi’s Yamaha teammate Maverick Vinales as well.
“It is one of the particular track that I like,” he said. “So, it’s a shame if it will go off but also to have one race in Germany is important for our factory, so let’s hope we can have it.” Fellow competitors also hoped that they can race at Sachsenring.
The 3.7km circuit has hosted the MotoGP races in the modern era since the 1998 season – the first time the world championship race moved to the circuit located in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany.
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