Breaking news
MotoGP Czech GP
Abraham reveals this year's Czech GP "may be the last"
Czech MotoGP rider Karel Abraham fears that his home grand prix at Brno this year will be the last, as he claims the government in not providing enough financial support to keep the event viable.
David Gruz Gerald Dirnbeck
Published: Jun 11, 2019, 9:57 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Brno has been a regular venue on the world championship grand prix calendar since 1965, missing from the schedule only on five occasions - between 1983 and 1986, and in 1992.
The track's current contract with MotoGP ends in 2020 and its chances for a new contract were hindered when the Czech government decided to cut financial support from 65 to 39 million Czech crowns.
But Abraham, whose father owns the circuit, has now revealed that the race could be taken off the world championship schedule early.
"It’s true, it may be the last GP," said Abraham. "There are several things that make it very complicated to keep the GP in Brno.
"The most important one is the co-operation with the government. Almost all the states [on the calendar] do co-operate somehow, but our government seems to have some issues. That’s basically the main problem.
"They do not support as much as we need. They come, they give us two-thirds basically, but we need more for it. For the future the financial support is unknown.
"It’s very sad, but it’s also not fair. If you look at it, all the small companies and hotels and businesses earn a lot of money. The government itself on the taxis and everything earns a lot of money.
"And if they cover the fees they will still earn a lot of money. Everybody will earn a lot. But if the circuit pays the fee, everybody will earn a lot but the circuit will lose money. And it doesn’t make sense."
Abraham said that the circuit has been trying to get back on the WSBK calendar after it was replaced by Jerez this year.
"It is very difficult. We are really wanting and pushing to get Superbikes back, but to have the Superbikes you have to pay some fees, and then pay to get the event running.
"Then for a reason unknown to me, people don’t come. How do you get the money back? This is a big problem.
"We had a big problem with some other races too, that the fees were very high but not many people came and spent their money.
"It’s still a business, and you can spend money on fees, resurfacing, but you have to get something in return, and this was very often not coming.
"I think the circuit would be very happy to have MotoGP, Superbike, DTM, it would be amazing. But it’s impossible."
Czech GP race start
Photo by: Gold and Goose / LAT Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Rossi has "promised" to make DTM guest outing
Next article Honda riders "missed" my feedback last year - Crutchlow
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
David Gruz
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
World Superbike
World Superbike
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
World Superbike
World Superbike
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
MotoGP
MotoGP
Sepang February testing
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
More from
Karel Abraham
Avintia had to drop Abraham for MotoGP future security
MotoGP
MotoGP
Avintia had to drop Abraham for MotoGP future security
Abraham announces MotoGP exit as Zarco's 2020 deal looms
MotoGP
MotoGP
Abraham announces MotoGP exit as Zarco's 2020 deal looms
Abraham insists Avintia seat "not about money"
MotoGP
MotoGP
Abraham insists Avintia seat "not about money"
Latest news
Honda Racing US echoes Porsche urgency over unified 2030 rules framework
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 31 min
Honda Racing US echoes Porsche urgency over unified 2030 rules framework
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
47 min
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
Winners and losers from the penultimate round of 2026 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
56 min
Winners and losers from the penultimate round of 2026 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe