Leading MotoGP riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo have expressed their desire to see Formula 1 avoid racing at Assen in fear of the circuit becoming too bumpy for bikes.
F1 bosses have been evaluating the possibility of returning the series to the Netherlands in the near future, though at Assen instead of its former Zandvoort home – where the series raced on and off from 1952 to 1985.
MotoGP currently shares four venues – Circuit of the Americas, Red Bull Ring, Catalunya and Silverstone – with F1, with all circuits coming under fire in recent years from riders about the state of the tarmac due to F1 activity, which prompted total resurfacing for the latter two.
Valentino Rossi believes F1 cars would worsen the condition of the Assen tarmac, and also feels the Dutch venue's history in grand prix motorcycle racing means MotoGP should remain as its flagship event.
Speaking ahead of the Dutch TT on Thursday, the 10-time Assen winner said: “I hope they don't come, because Formula 1 has a lot of tracks they use just for the cars, like Le Castellet [Paul Ricard] last week, and here is Assen is just for motorcycle in the history.
“First of all, will be a particular track for Formula 1, but at the same time it's better to not have Formula 1 for us because you have less bumps.
“And I think for the historic side it's better just MotoGP race here.”
Ducati's Jorge Lorenzo echoed the Yamaha rider's sentiments regarding the bumps, and is worried about potential safety alterations F1's governing body the FIA would have to make to the circuit – though Assen circuit owners have previously warned against making any radical track alterations that would negatively impact MotoGP.
“As Vale say, it will be strange to see, and I hope it doesn't come here firstly because the bumps, and secondly because they will probably have to modify the track because will be very strange to see the F1 cars to racing on a track that is very green outside of the race track.
“But anything is possible, I don't know the modifications they should do. But for the bumps, like Vale say, it will be better if Formula 1 doesn't come here.”
Championship leader Marc Marquez was also wary of the potential for a bumpier surface, but the Honda man feels this is “not a big problem”, and is happy F1 is looking at racing at a circuit like Assen.
“Formula 1 here will be very, very fast, because many fast corners and maybe the laptimes per lap will be one minute because they are so fast.
“Always is good when Formula 1 is interested in some circuits like Assen, but then this for the bikes mean we will have some bumps. But is not a big problem.”
