“The most important thing this weekend is what happened yesterday,” explained Lorenzo this evening during a press conference to which Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa, Johann Zarco and Brad Binder were invited. “Unfortunately we lost Luis and everything else is secondary. »
The sudden disappearance of Luis Salom sent a huge chill through the paddock. Drivers, team personnel and media were all shocked by this tragic announcement. In response, the Safety Commission met yesterday evening with ten drivers, among whom the Majorcan was not present: “As World Champion and current leader in the standings, I regret not having been invited. »
To Marc Marquez the answer is simple, “The safety commission meets every Friday at 17:30 p.m. at the same place. We met last night and after discussions, we went to the location. Looking at a diagram is much different than being there. »
The circuit was modified at turns 10 and 12. According to Marquez present at this meeting, if there had not been the possibility of modifying turn 12, the Grand Prix would simply have been canceled. If the modification of turn 12 is justified for the drivers, it does not seem to be so for turn 10. “I don’t understand why they needed to change another corner where nothing happened,” confided Valentino Rossi. “It’s not very clear and I don’t know why. Anyway, I wasn't there. So I take the decision as it is. In my opinion, it does not need to be changed. It's true that the clearance isn't that great, but that's how it is. There are 20 to 30 corners during the season that are in this case. »
Espargaro Pol, present on Friday evening, was counting on the presence and experience of Rossi and Lorenzo. “We need Valentino, him and his experience. We also need Jorge. He can't say that, it's not respectful to the drivers present. »
His teammate Bradley Smith was less lenient in his remarks, “He [Rossi] has not participated in the committee even once this season. He must assume his responsibilities and swallow his resentment. We need all MotoGP riders. »
Although absent, because he was busy at the time, Rossi clarified that this problem at turn 12 had existed for some time, “We have been raising this point with the commission for 6 years. We had specified that we wanted more clearance.
Unfortunately, there are routes that take these requests into account and others for which it is more complicated and expensive. We already knew it was dangerous there, but while analyzing the fall, something happened on the bike. »
Carmelo Ezpeleta had claimed that there had been no recent requests from pilots on this subject. At a press conference, Johann zarco refused to answer this question calmly. According to Marquez, both Rossi and Ezpeleta are right, “We discussed this problem,” adds Marquez. “We agreed to add more Airfences to solve the problem. » About that Red he also confirms, “ If I remember correctly, we talked about the problem after Niccolo Antonelli crashed into the guards two years ago. We decided to add more Airfences because it was impossible to get more clearance. »
The chicane solution introduced between Friday and Saturday was tested by MotoGP riders two years ago, “The route should have been changed before, but sometimes you only do it when things like this happen,” Explain Marquez. “Everyone agrees that safety is better, but the route was worse. Although more fun to ride, there is not enough clearance. It feels like if nothing happens, we don't make change. But prevention is better than cure before there is an accident. »
Riders from other Moto2 and Moto3 categories are not invited to these commissions, “If a decision is taken by the MotoGP riders and is reassuring for their machines, I know that it will be in line with the reactions of a Moto3,” confided to us Jules Danilo, best French representative in Moto3 this Saturday. “They are experienced drivers in whom I fully trust. Being all present would not always bring constructive criticism. »
