Marc Márquez has tipped the Sachsenring lap record he set at the German Grand Prix to tumble in 2027, even as MotoGP switches to 850cc engines.
What changed at Sachsenring
Marc Márquez took the Sachsenring lap record from Fabio Di Giannantonio on 12 July 2026. The track’s short straights and constant lean angles make it unusually sensitive to engine size and aerodynamics. With the new 850cc rules coming in 2027, Márquez reckons the circuit could still deliver faster laps.
Why the record might not last
MotoGP’s 2027 rules slash engine displacement and remove ride-height devices from the end of 2019. Front aero is trimmed too, so most tracks will see slower lap times. Yet Sachsenring’s layout flips the script. Less power can matter less when corners dominate. That’s why Márquez sees a path to a sub-1m18s lap next year.
What the rivals say
Pedro Acosta, Márquez’s Ducati Lenovo teammate for 2027, called tyre choice decisive. He pointed to Sachsenring’s current under-utilised power band: “At the moment we’re under-power with the 1,000cc. If the weight drops and tyres grip, we’ll be close to 1m18s.” Luca Marini, racing for KTM, agreed. “If Pirelli bring a good tyre, we’ll beat the record,” he said after watching Moto2’s tough qualifying pace.
The technical backdrop
MotoGP’s 2027 bikes lose the ride-height devices used since 2019 and shrink front aero. The net effect should slow most circuits. Yet lap records set this year—especially at Sachsenring—face a real threat. Márquez’s 1m18.775 from Saturday could be history if tyres and weight allow riders to exploit the new balance.