MotoGP, Radio communication? No, here comes the 'virtual board'

From the Japanese Grand Prix on 16 October, the 'virtual-board' may come to MotoGP. A signalling system for the riders that is an alternative to the conventional board which is difficult to read and interpret in the quick glance the riders cast as they flash past on the straight in front of pit lane.

The casus belli was the suggestion by Valentino Rossi to resume experimentation with pit-rider radio communication, begun years ago by Valerio Maioli.

In fact, as you may remember, Vale had pointed out that on the Sachsenring he could have taken a different decision (editor’s note: he did not stop, despite the indications on the board) had he known that Marquez, after mounting the slicks, was quickly recovering ground.

A few years ago, talk of virtual boards began. In fact, thanks to digital displays, it is now possible to show the riders, sending the riders basic signals, such as red flag, black flag, early start or breakdown via radio.

"There are circuits - explains Javier Alonso, Race Direction member - where the riders have difficulty seeing the board. In fact, the boards are very close to one another and often they are not seen. So, we decided to speak with our engineers to see about providing the teams with our race direction system in order to inform the riders so the teams can send, not only what is indicated on the boards, but much more."

All good and fine, until someone, like Kimi Raikkonen in F1, will find the way to say to his garage "leave me alone, I know what I’m doing."

In fact, the current problem is not so much having the instructions (a board with BOX written on it is quite visible) as it is complying with them...