P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Miguel Oliveira has called on the Portuguese government to step in and save his home MotoGP race as its place on the calendar is endangered
There is uncertainty surrounding the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao due to financial considerations, with the only full-time Portuguese MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira calling for government intervention to maintain the event’s prestige. Portimao joined the MotoGP calendar in 2020 as an alternative European round, reviving the Portuguese Grand Prix after a long hiatus since 2012. The race has faced challenges in attracting crowds initially but showed improvement over the years, with a significant attendance rise from 44,000 in 2022 to 73,000 in 2024. The recent passing of circuit founder Paulo Pinheiro has made securing necessary funding more challenging, leading to doubts about the future of hosting MotoGP races at the venue. As Oliveira prepares to switch to Pramac next year, MotoGP is exploring replacing the Portuguese race with a round in Eastern Europe, potentially returning to Hungary after nearly three decades.
