Filip Salač ready to ride the wave of home support in Brno

Filip Salač heads into his home Monster Energy Grand Prix of Czechia in exceptional circumstances. Fresh from the best result of his career last time out, when he finished second, expectations are high and the spotlight from the fans is firmly on him. But the Czech rider for the American Racing Team also knows full well that his home Grand Prix at the CREDITAS Autodrom Brno will be one of the toughest weekends of the season.

“I don’t think I could have given Brno a better invitation,” Salač said of his previous race. He says his current form and strong results have also changed his mindset ahead of his home round. Last year, he struggled with the pressure coming from the fans, the media and everyone around him. This year feels different.

“I’m in a completely different situation. I know I have the speed and that I can fight for victory. I’m going to Brno mainly wanting to enjoy the weekend as much as possible, to make the fans, the team and myself happy. I hope everything goes according to plan and that it will be the most beautiful weekend of the year,” said Filip, who has climbed to ninth in the riders’ standings after four consecutive top-10 finishes.

A podium in the previous round followed by a home Grand Prix also means greater media interest and a far busier schedule. “I’m building up my energy for the demanding five days ahead. I know from last year how tough it was, and I think that this year, because of the form I’m in, it will be even more mentally demanding,” Filip explained, before adding: “But at the same time, without those activities and without giving something back to the fans, I wouldn’t really be racing at all, to put it simply. I don’t want to put any extra pressure on myself, but on the other hand, I know I work best under pressure. I’m in the best form I’ve ever been in, and I want to make the most of it.”

Salač’s team-mate Joe Roberts delivered victory for the American Racing Team at the CREDITAS Autodrom Brno last year, and that could prove an advantage going into this year’s race.

“It’s extra motivation for the team. Everyone knows they were strong here, and that makes them even more fired up for a good result. Maybe it’s a sign. If they won with him last year, hopefully they can win with me this year,” laughed Filip, who recently tested the circuit again and gave the track surface a very positive assessment. He says the new asphalt has bedded in well and expects the pace to be even quicker than last year.

“It really is like riding on butter that grips,” he said, before sending a final message to the fans: “Come and watch. I believe that together we can take this all the way to the podium.”