The Moto2 rider from Vilgertshofen is looking to challenge for a podium again. The dream of success in front of your home crowd.
Alongside Stefan Bradl, who is standing in for the injured Marc Marquez in the top MotoGP class at the Sachsenring, Moto2 rider Marcel Schrötter is the second local favourite to line up at the LIQUI MOLY Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany (17th to 19th June), and is very popular with the fans. The 29-year-old Bavarian finished on the podium on the support programme for the German leg of the MotoGP world championship in 2019 – one of the highlights of his career so far. In an interview, the man from Vilgertshofen discusses his goals, what he is working on, and the unique nature of the Sachsenring.
The LIQUI MOLY Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany is your home race. With what expectations to you go into the race at the Sachsenring? Marcel Schrötter: “I obviously want to compete at the very front of the field. That has worked out well in recent years at the Sachsenring. My dream and hope is to challenge for the podium, or the win. The race in Barcelona has given us a lot of confidence. However, the Sachsenring is a difficult circuit. I hope I have a good feeling and the bike works well from the outset.”
What makes the Sachsenring such a special circuit? Marcel Schrötter: “It is very narrow and virtually never straight, apart from the start/finish straight. There are two mini straights, one downhill and one approaching the final turn. Apart from that, you are only ever leaning. That makes the Sachsenring unique on the MotoGP calendar.”
In 2019, you finished third and took your place on the podium. Is that your fondest memory of the Sachsenring? Marcel Schrötter: “Yes, definitely! There had been other highlights before that, like my wildcard appearance in 2009, when I was not yet a world championship rider. I started from the front row of the grid on that occasion. However, to contest a race in front of your home crowd, to be fighting for a place in the top three, and then to step onto the podium is an awesome feeling. I would love to repeat that.”
This year, you are seventh in the overall standings, thanks to four top-five finishes. How would you sum up the season so far? Marcel Schrötter: “It could obviously be better. I am not entirely happy, because we fell behind our expectations at the start of the season. Unfortunately, we discovered too late that there was a slight issue with the chassis of the bike. Once we solved that, we made some progress, although the results did not come immediately. Qualifying was the problem. The races were all very good. We are continuing to work very hard and catching up bit by bit.”
Your highlight of 2022 so far? Marcel Schrötter: “The race in Jerez. I started from 18th and finished fifth. We had previously finished fourth on two occasions. In the race in Portimão, I was really fortunate not to come off and the race be suspended after a mass crash. It was very important to back those results up. Climbing through the field and matching the pace of the eventual race winner in Jerez makes that one of my best races ever.”
What do you need to improve? Marcel Schrötter: “Qualifying! We work a lot on the race pace, but we simply have to be faster on that one lap. That is not something that comes naturally to me yet. I grasped it a few years ago, and claimed several pole positions. However, riding has changed a little in recent years. My driving style is too controlled and I think too much. I find it hard to get everything perfect for one lap, and to ride on instinct alone. We are trying to improve in this regard, and to put more focus on that one flying lap in the practice sessions. We know that my race pace is really good this year.”
Tickets for MotoGP at the Sachsenring are still available from the online ticket shop at adac.de/motogp, as well as by phone on 03723/8099111 and E-mail (info@sachsenring-event.de). Tickets purchased for the 2020 and 2021 Motorcycle Grands Prix remain valid for the 2022 race weekend.
