Motorcycle racer Cormac Buchanan recorded a career best result at the technically demanding Sachsenring in the Moto3 World Championship yesterday.
Finishing 9th and just 1.5 seconds from victory after an intense 20-lap battle, which included a stint in the podium positions, the 18-year-old Southlander delivered an impressive performance in unpredictable conditions throughout the German Grand Prix.
“It was a positive weekend … it was one I was really looking forward to as it’s one of my favourite tracks from when I raced here with Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup three years ago,” he said.
“I’m satisfied for this moment but I want more. Thankfully Brno is not too far away and we’re going to keep breaking down those barriers and making steps because we know what we can do. It’s just a matter of time.”
Highly volatile weather forecasts threatening intermittent rain added to the challenge for teams and riders over the weekend. The opening day was more favourable than expected with Friday’s sessions held in dry conditions, allowing the riders to focus on fine-tuning their setup without having to deal with the instability of a wet track.
Buchanan completed both sessions with increasing pace, although he did not make it directly into Q2, instead qualifying for the Q1 playoff.
On Saturday, the conditions took a radical turn. Rain fell from the start, leaving the track completely wet in every session. Far from being intimidated, Buchanan showed off his natural talent in the wet. In a brilliant performance, he dominated Q1 and advanced to Q2, where he achieved an excellent eighth position on the grid: his best qualifying of the year to date and a hard-won morale boost.
“Going through Q1 ended up being an advantage. The goal was to pass through to Q2 just with the least amount of risk because I knew I had the pace. I was building into it and had a silly tip off. Thankfully the bike wasn’t damaged that badly and I could continue the session,” he said.
“I went back out after the crash and got P1 which was a great feeling. It was quite iffy the session – every lap we had to improve to make the cut.
“It was an advantage going from Q1 because I had a rough idea of how the track conditions were. I felt super strong in the Q2 and was going to build my pace as the laps went on and go for it in the last two.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t actually get to benefit from my push because I hit yellow flags in all three final laps. That was extremely disappointing as we were in the fight for pole or at a minimum would have been on the front row as my sectors were some of the fastest. But eighth was not too shabby.”
In Sunday’s race, Buchanan made a spectacular start, moving into third place early on. Far from falling behind, he remained solidly in the lead group, demonstrating poise and maturity. Ultimately earning ninth place, it was an important step forward in his progression within the Moto3 ranks.
“With the track dry, it was always going to be a tough race. From the get-go I felt confident and knew I could do a good race considering my feelings from Friday,” he said.
“I got a great start and was P4 by turn one and then went into third and held that for a couple of laps. I got passed by some riders and I found it difficult to come back from that straight away – it took a little bit to regain the momentum and my rhythm which cost me a bit.
“The tyre didn’t feel so great even from the early laps so I had to manage that situation. I dropped down to 15th but managed to regain some positions and get back into the top 10.
“I was feeling really good and ready to make a charge but unfortunately the tyres hindered that. It was on the limit. It wasn’t just the rear tyre, which you can manage, but to try and make overtakes with a front like that is extremely difficult.
“It was a case of bringing it home safely which I did in ninth. I’m happy enough but honestly, within myself, there’s an element of disappointment as I really feel like an even better result was on the cards today and I knew I could challenge.
“Some races just don’t work out like that and finally I have to take the positives – fighting for the podium, almost leading the race at one stage, being in that front group and establishing myself there – it’s a big step forward.”
For the first time since 2020, MotoGP returns to the iconic Brno circuit for the Tissot Grand Prix of Czechia this weekend.
