You are here

MotoGP, Safety Commission approves the new flag-to-flag

After the test at the end of FP2, the riders say they are in favour of the bike change system, but there are still some doubts

MotoGP: Safety Commission approves the new flag-to-flag

Share


After a test at the end of the second free practice session, the new bike change procedure in the event of a flag-to-flag race was approved in Safety Commission. What changes? The bikes will no longer be arranged in parallel, but perpendicularly, or in a “V” formation.

The riders stop the bike, directing it toward the garage entrance and exit with the second bike already turned toward pit lane, as you can see in the photograph above. The other change has to do with a mechanic holding a sign to release the rider when he sees that the way is clear in order to prevent accidents.

As mentioned, a test was done today and the riders, after their doubts yesterday, changed their minds in part, although the new format still does not solve all the problems.

As Valentino explained “There are pros and cons even with this system. For me, we can use it, but it does not eliminate the risk of accidents. In fact, from that point of view, nothing changes with respect to the previous system.

Dovizioso also thinks that there are negative and positive aspects. “Right now, a 100% safe procedure does not exist - the Ducati rider pointed out - and this one is similar to the previous one. Today we did a test, but we will only be able to see the real difficulties in an actual race situation when we all come into pit lane together. A solution needs to be found that makes the situation more manageable.”

Viñales, on the other hand, is one of the riders who like the change.As with any change, you need to get used to it, but I like it. There is more space and overall it is safer” he offers his opinion.

Even Iannone, who had been involved with a crash to avoid hitting Aleix Espargaró at Brno during the bike change, gave his vote of approval. “To be honest, I almost touched Rins today too, but he was able to see me and nothing happened - he recounted - I had also proposed this solution. I think it is better than the one we had been using.”

Redding expressed some other doubts. For Scott “It is hard to assess after a test done during practice, when there is nothing at stake. In the race, there could be some confusion because there is no room for error.”

Smith, on the other hand, thinks that the new system is safer: “It isn’t a bad idea, especially having a mechanic releasing the rider. This is the safest option that we have right now.

Lorenzo, as mentioned several times, thinks that there is a definitive solution. What would that be? “Eliminate the flag-to-flag altogether, but I don’t think that it is possible, so any change made to improve safety is welcome.

Petrucci is entirely in favour of the new method:It is definitely safer. There is more space to see who is coming in and who is going out. It’s better” he stated.

Translated by Jonathan Blosser

Related articles