During the 2025 MotoGP season, Turn 1 at Sachsenring emerged as the most dangerous corner according to MotoGP Sachsenring crash statistics, with more incidents than any other spot across the championship. In last July’s German Grand Prix, the treacherous nature of this corner became evident as 21 riders fell victim to it, highlighting an ongoing safety concern for competitors on the circuit.
Sachsenring Leads as Key Trouble Spot
Turn 1 at Sachsenring saw 21 crashes across all classes, making it the biggest single accident blackspot of the season. This was five more than the next most hazardous location, Turn 1 at Balaton Park in Hungary. Both corners share features that contribute to their risk: intense braking zones feeding into tight right-handers, with Sachsenring’s version also descending downhill, making it even more unpredictable for riders. These characteristics not only challenge the limits of the bikes during braking and corner entry, but also become scenes for frequent overtaking attempts, raising the likelihood of contact between competitors.
Comparison with Other Circuits and Dangerous Corners
Despite Sachsenring and Balaton Park recording the highest crash counts at individual turns, the overall number of falls for each track was lower compared to others. Le Mans in France topped the total circuit accident list with 70 falls over the Grand Prix weekend. Turn 3 at Le Mans, the notorious entry to the Dunlop chicane, was responsible for twelve of these incidents, with Turns 7 (Musee hairpin) and 9 (Chemin aux Boeufs entrance) not far behind, each seeing ten accidents.
Elsewhere, Spain’s Jerez circuit saw 15 accidents at the Dani Pedrosa hairpin (Turn 6), while Mandalika’s penultimate turn witnessed an identical number of spills, underscoring how specific corners repeatedly see higher accident rates due to their technical demands and strategic positioning on the lap.
Influence of Weather and Safe Circuits
Weather conditions frequently played a decisive role in the number of accidents throughout the season. Circuits like Aragon and Lusail emerged as the safest venues, each reporting a comparatively low tally of 27 falls for the entire event. This contrast against high-incident venues points to the effect environmental factors can have on rider safety and accident frequency.
Crash Totals Across the 2025 Season
The 2025 MotoGP season set a record for calendar length with 22 rounds and witnessed a total of 965 crashes across all classes. This figure marked an increase of 100 incidents compared to the 2024 campaign, yet it still remained well below the all-time high of 1,126 crashes recorded in 2017, when the calendar featured only 18 rounds. Focusing on the premier MotoGP class alone, there were 349 accidents last year, averaging 15.6 per event, compared to the record 358 falls from the 2023 season—the first to feature Sprint races—with an average of 17.9 crashes per weekend.
When and Where Do MotoGP Falls Occur Most?
Accident distribution across different sessions showed the highest number during races themselves, tallying up to 103 premier-class falls. The next riskiest period was Friday afternoon practice, which saw 81 crashes as riders pushed hard for a direct slot into Qualifying 2. This session also lasts one hour, the longest of the weekend, thus increasing exposure to risk. Meanwhile, the new Sprint races, being half the length of a full race, still accounted for 49 falls.
Top Crashers: Riders with the Most Falls
The statistics for individual riders were telling for the year. Johann Zarco of LCR Honda registered the most falls in the MotoGP class at 28, closely followed by Jack Miller of Pramac Yamaha with 25 crashes. In the lower classes, Cormac Buchanan led all riders with 35 spills, and David Almansa from Moto3 followed with 31. Moto2’s Jorge Navarro experienced 21 crashes, sharing joint seventh place on the overall list alongside MotoGP newcomer Pedro Acosta. These numbers demonstrate the ongoing risks associated with pushing technical and competitive boundaries at each event.
Implications for Safety and the Road Ahead
The rise in crash numbers, despite improvements and increased awareness, signals continued challenges in balancing performance with safety. Sachsenring’s Turn 1, in particular, highlights the need for ongoing circuit evaluation, rider education, and possible changes to track or race procedures to reduce risk. The data not only guides teams and organizers in setting future safety strategies, but also serves as a warning and a call to vigilance for all MotoGP participants as the sport evolves.
