Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City has emerged as an option to hold a MotoGP race next season. There were originally plans to add a Finnish race to the calendar for 2019, however the new track is now unlikely to be ready in time. With the addition of Thailand this year there are now 19 races in the season, so a Mexican race next year would mean 20 races on the calendar.
The track re-joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2015 after significant renovation. It is located almost in the heart of Mexico City, meaning space is limited and therefore the track is tight. Walls are very close in some areas and the run off is tarmac, which is generally not considered safe for motorcycle racing as it does not slow down the bike or rider as much as gravel traps.
“I’m desperate, first because [the calendar would] become 20 races, which means we have no life.” said Valentino Rossi to motorsport.com, when asked about the possibility of a race in Mexico next year.
“Also, the main problem is that it is a very bad track. I do not like it. It’s also dangerous. They would have to modify parts, but it is difficult to do so.
For me, a race there next year is not a good idea.”
The Sachsenring is one circuit already on the calendar that has very close walls. Across the German GP weekend there in July, there were two heavy crashes from Mika Kallio and Aleix Espargaro, both hitting air fences following short trips through gravel traps. This doesn’t bode well for safety at a Mexican race, considering there were gravel traps rather than tarmac at the Sachsenring and still two riders were injured. Significant modifications would likely have to be made in Mexico, but would take time.
