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They were unable to forbid them effective immediately, but as of today, spoilers in MotoGP are a thing of the past, despite the fact that using them, in various shapes and sizes, dates back to the mid '60s.
Putting an end to one of the few innovations that had raised curiosity, but which, when put to the test, were found to be an improvement in terms of safety, improving the stability of the front end on these 280 HP prototypes, was the Gran Prix Commission which, in doing so, came full circle after having already forbidding them in Moto3 and Moto2.
The baton was passed to the GP Commission after the manufacturer association, the MSMA, decided not to decide in the last few days. And, in accordance with regulations, not having reached a unanimous decision, the sceptre was passed to its four members: Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM CEO), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA).
Since Tsubouchi is only the secretary of the MSMA and was not able to vote in accordance with the association’s directiverf, in other words, he could not take a position, the 'no' came from the trio of those in attendance. In practical terms, since Irta is an association that is kept alive by Dorna and FIM is an effigy of power actually entrusted to Dorna, as always, it was the latter who decided.
We are curious to know the reasons that led to the ban, since Ducati had provided a voluminous file on the issue related to safety that showed there was no danger.
"Like in F1, now we will need to look carefully at the future regulation – Davide Tardozzi clarified – every single word will be important, because whatever is not forbidden will be permitted."
So, in the end the Japanese manufacturers’ front won. Arriving late, they had all, without exception, mounted winglets, despite having complained that they were dangerous.
"In this case also, a bit of consistency wouldn’t have hurt", Tardozzi pointed out.
We certainly would be remiss if we did not note that, with no less than eight bikes on the starting grid, Ducati still does not have the right political influence. Besides the spoilers, this is another point that the ‘Rossa’ should work on.
