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The second of the winter tests, on the Mandalika track, in Indonesia, highlighted major problems in the condition of the track.
As you will remember, the first of the three days the riders were ‘persuaded’ to carry out 20 laps each to clean the track, which was very dirty, also because the whole area, from that of the structure itself, to the surrounding roads is still a construction site and so there is a lot of dust in the air.
On that occasion, the most vocal of the riders was Aleix Espargarò who, in addition to confirming the state of the track, spoke of the dangers involved.
"I did not agree with getting us to do those compulsory laps - the Aprilia rider told us - because in any case it was dangerous to ride in those conditions. Even at the end of the test, however, with the track covered with rubber, the clean line was limited to one trajectory: you cannot overtake, if you go offline, the rest is like water. I have no doubt they can clean the track in one month".
MotoGP, however, highlighted another problem that did not arise during the Superbike test last winter: the rapid deterioration of the asphalt that literally crumbles under the pressure of almost 300 hp bikes.
"I happened to take a stone on my left arm - said Pecco Bagnaia showing the bruise - but when you follow another rider you are repeatedly hit, and beyond the risk and harm a stone thrown at that speed can pierce the radiator ".
This happened to almost all the riders on the track: Quartararo was hit in the throat while following Morbidelli, Bezzecchi on the helmet visor.
Imagine a MotoGP race, with all the riders on the track and it will be immediately evident that, as in the case of a wet race, the best position to occupy is only the one in the lead of the race!
Jack Miller also had a lot to say about the matter and he spoke of a disastrous situation and the need to resurface the track from turns 1 to 7. Obviously, it seems completely unlikely that this will be possible within a month, so it seems that the situation that will present itself at the MotoGP race will be a repetition of what happened in Texas when the riders agreed to compete with the circuit's commitment to carry out the necessary work in time for 2023.
On the other hand, the idea of rescheduling the Grand Prix on the calendar, which perhaps the Circus hoped for, linking it to one of the two double-headers at the end of the year, seems to have been ruled out, as this would involve too many Grands Prix in a row. An idea that can’t be done.
"We completed the test without any problems - explained the head of safety, former world champion Franco Uncini - but we are afraid to do the Grand Prix in these conditions. We are talking to those in charge and we have made them understand and demonstrate what the problems are. So we are looking for a solution to do the GP in safety and tranquillity ".
Mark Hughes, the architect who supervised the construction of the circuit, will be responsible for the work, while Jarno Zaffelli, the engineer who solved the problems of the surface water at Sepang, present at both tests, was on site but only on a personal initiative.
“We still need a couple of days. It is true that there are stones from the degrading asphalt, but the situation is not too far gone, and there are parts that are more damaged than others. The most obvious problems arise from turns 1 to 5 and also at the last turn. In a very short time, however, we will be able to find a solution ".
