In recent times, something has been changing in the paddock and the riders seem to have realized that unity is strength. Easy to say, but difficult to do for people who are used to going up against each other every weekend, with more or less heated rivalries. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to put aside personal antipathies for the common good and the moment in which an association of MotoGP riders will be made official seems to be getting ever closer. The first signs were seen in India, when they met to talk about the safety problems of the Buddh Circuit in the event of a wet race. They discussed and, having reached an agreement, formed a common front: we don't race if it rains.
Pecco Bagnaia spoke about the topic again in Indonesia: "it's not an association, for the moment it's a group in which we can talk to each other about many things, about our feelings before starting a race weekend; in India it was very helpful to do that. It won't change our situation, we don't have big problems, but sometimes it's better to all talk together before doing something."
Having a common voice is better than 22 individual opinions and Fabio Quartararo also underlined its importance: "it allows us to have better communication which is necessary in some moments, such as when we have to race in the wet in very difficult conditions. I think going together in one direction is useful for everyone."
The Frenchman also said that it is not a real association (at least for now) even if Sylvain Guintoli's name is increasingly mentioned as spokesperson. The Frenchman is the right figure: he has a calm but strong character, a lot of racing experience and, therefore, very clear ideas about what the riders’ needs are. In Formula 1 this body already exists, it is the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, founded in 1961, it has had prominent names as spokesperson or president, starting with Moss, passing through Stewart, Schumacher and Vettel, to name just a few.
In the world championship, it has been missing until now, but it would be useful. Also because in recent years the riders have had to undergo the decisions of Dorna and FIM without even being consulted. This was the case with the introduction of the sprint race, a new feature that they had learned about from journalistic indiscretions, no one had thought it was appropriate to talk to them about it beforehand. However, they were the ones who have to take the consequences: with a revolutionized and much more stressful format, also due to the many added promotional commitments (such as the parade on Sunday). Not to mention that next year the situation could get worse with 22 GPs and 44 races on the calendar (we talked about it HERE). The association could also help the weakest riders, those of Moto2 and Moto3, who do not have a voice. In the two smaller classes there have been many cases of contracts being suddenly torn up and riders being left without a ride overnight, another thing that is not acceptable.
For now the MotoGP riders don't want to reveal too much about their project, but the time is ripe for the association to take shape.