Motorcycle hopeful Kratochwil uses the hype at home as motivation

Fynn Kratochwil is considered Germany’s greatest hope among the next generation of motorcycle racers. Ahead of his home race at the Sachsenring, the 15-year-old sees the growing attention he’s receiving as an added incentive. This season, he is competing in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, arguably the most important series on the path to the World Championship.

His daily routine at the German Grand Prix has changed noticeably due to media appearances and the large number of German fans, Kratochwil reported. “It no longer takes two minutes to walk off the track—it takes 30,” the Thuringian told the German Press Agency. He wants to enjoy the extra hype without letting it rattle him.

Drawbacks at home

Last year, he won twelve of 14 races in the Northern Talent Cup, clinched the championship, and thus made the leap to the Rookies Cup. The transition has been a success: Kratochwil is currently in tenth place in the overall standings, and at Mugello he celebrated his first two podium finishes. Now he’s primarily competing against up-and-coming riders from Spain, who have better training opportunities in their home country.

Former racer Alex Hofmann also recognizes that German talents face disadvantages in international competition. “It also has to do with how much a sport is loved. In Germany, kids just don’t get a motorcycle as a gift for their fourth birthday. On top of that, countries in Southern Europe have around 300 days of sunshine. People are at the racetrack more often there,” the current TV analyst once said about the situation in Germany.

A move to Spain is on the table

Kratochwil can imagine making a permanent move to Spain. “Maybe we’ll live there, maybe we’ll just train there as often as possible,” he said. “We haven’t found a solution yet.” The decision will depend on his athletic development in the coming years.

His medium-term goal is the Moto3 World Championship. However, due to age restrictions, Kratochwil—as a minor—would have to finish among the top three in the Red Bull Rookies Cup in the 2027 season to be allowed to move up early. Otherwise, German fans wouldn’t have a chance to see a local hero in the World Championship circuit until 2029 at the earliest. The last time a German regular rider competed in the Moto2 World Championship was in 2023, with Lukas Tulovic.

Kratochwil is supported on his journey by his family, his coach Dirk Heidolf, and Motorsport Team Germany—the flagship organization of the German Motor Sport Federation. ““Nothing is cheap anymore, nothing is free,” said the high school student. That’s why financial support plays a crucial role in his career.