Stefan Bradl ‘burns’ Honda after scorching foot in German MotoGP
Stefan Bradl reveals burns to his foot during an arduous German MotoGP and criticises the manufacturer for failing to develop a fairing that withstands heat
Stefan Bradl has taken aim at his own Repsol Honda team after suffering burn injuries on his foot during the German MotoGP because the manufacturer hasn’t ‘developed a fairing that allows riders to survive the heat’.
Currently deputising for the eight-time GP World Champion Marc Marquez while he recovers from surgery, it meant Bradl could line up for his local event at the Sachsenring over the weekend.
However, it wasn’t a happy homecoming for the experienced rider - who has now made 29 of his career 115 MotoGP starts with Honda, either as a wild-card or an injury substitute - with Bradl struggling home in last place by a long way after struggling with burns to his foot.
Caused by the fairing on his Repsol Honda RC213V overheating, a common issue during warmer races, Bradl called Honda out for the issue, adding he didn’t know why he finished the race at all.
"I don't even know why I finished the race. I was more than 21 seconds ahead of the penultimate rider,” he said in quotes attributed to sister publication Crash.net.
"You feel stupid and like a fool when you're at your house at the German Grand Prix.
"It was terrible. Honda has not been able to develop a fairing that allows riders to survive this heat.
"This message has to get to them, it's not acceptable, it can't be like that. I've been through other hot and difficult races, but this one I don't know how I managed to finish it."