MotoGP “at risk” of leaving Portugal due to “zero government involvement,” Miguel Oliveira laments
Portugal’s star MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira is “perplexed” by the “lack of government support” to continue hosting a MotoGP Grand Prix in the Algarve.
Speaking to SportTV last week, Oliveira said that the Portuguese government’s support is crucial to ensuring that the championship returns to the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão in 2025.
“Our home GP is very much at risk, which makes me very sad. The circuit’s administration has made great efforts, and the event has also been held with great effort from the regional municipalities. As everyone knows, the investment (in the event) is high, but the return is even higher. And the lack of government intervention in this case perplexes me,” the 29-year-old rider said.
“In my opinion, it’s the government’s support that’s missing, as it has been in the past. In previous years, there was zero government involvement in the organisation of the Portuguese Grand Prix,” Oliveira said, stressing the massive impact that the event has on the local economy.
“It’s known that MotoGP brought a direct return of about €80 million euros. It’s an event that benefits the country’s economic health, not to mention the prestige it brings. Additionally, the Portuguese GP has been held outside the peak season, which provides more work for hotels and people, for example. The continuation of MotoGP in Portugal is at risk if the government doesn’t want to intervene,” he highlighted.
Earlier last week, sports newspaper Record had already warned that the future of MotoGP racing in the Algarve is up in the air as negotiations continue between Parkalgar, the owner of the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, and Dorna, the company that holds the commercial rights to the premier motorcycle racing series.
Both sides have yet to come to an agreement, and rumours have surfaced suggesting that Portugal will be replaced by Hungary on the MotoGP calendar.
According to Record, year-on-year negotiations have become increasingly complex, with rising demands from Dorna reportedly putting pressure on Parkalgar. Similar concerns over the future of the championship were raised last year, at the time due to safety concerns and worries over a lack of government funding.
