During the last tests at Sepang, Yamaha was the first to reveal what one of its “anti-fin” fairings will be. Other manufacturers are asked not to delay…
From what we understood from the regulations (see our translation here), each manufacturer will have the right to permanently have two different models of “anti-fin” fairings. The next few years, things will be simple. This year, they will also be able to use their 2016 fairings without the fins, but will have to withdraw them from circulation if they have two developments approved in 2017.
From the information we gathered after the first tests at Sepang, it seems that we will use this possibility of having two types of fairings to have elements for slow circuits and others for fast circuits. Yamaha was the first to reveal its first evolution.
Danny Aldridge, the Technical Director of MotoGP, is the only person authorized to decide whether a fairing complies with the regulations or not. He spoke on this subject at the microphone of Peter Mc Laren in Crash.net and urged other manufacturers to reveal their plans as quickly as possible…
Danny, we saw the first new generation of MotoGP fairings, with Yamaha. They obviously respect the rules since they checked it with you, but what are your criteria for deciding whether a fairing is legal or not?
Danny Aldridge: “When we discussed the new rules for this year, we had two main options. The first was to be very strict, very supervised, with fixed dimensions for the fairings. And what we probably would have ended up with would have been motorcycles that all looked the same. What we didn't want and what the manufacturers didn't want. So instead we chose the second option, which was to set out rules that were very loose but gave me the opportunity to decide what was okay and what wasn't.
To use the Yamaha example, for me it is allowed because, although the rules say "no bulges", the reason I do not consider it a "bulge" is because it presents a continuous curve, with a similar radius from top to bottom. There is no real variation in the angle of the curve. From a security point of view, it is perfect. There is no problem at all. What we don't want is things coming out of the fairing at 90 degree angles or with sudden changes in radius.
What you can see from Yamaha is what we expected to see. The rules must obviously be in accordance with the MSMA and we decide between ourselves what this will be. The rules were written so that inside [the fairing] the manufacturers could largely do whatever they wanted with the aerodynamics. It allows them some leeway and the kind of thing we saw at Yamaha is what we knew would happen. »
To be clear, the intention was never to completely ban wings or downforce devices in MotoGP?
“No, this is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing and it’s a research sport, we can’t become too restrictive. Aerodynamics are obviously important for anything moving at 350 km/h and we didn't want to try to ban everything. »
Meanwhile, some teams are still testing with the old wings...
“Yes, as this is a test they can still race with their old fins here if they want. The safety aspect would be the only reason I would say 'please don't try this'. But on the technical side, they can run with what they like for these tests. They use the old fins to make comparisons and I understand that.
I'm surprised Yamaha pulled out all the stops so early [with the new fairing]. Obviously I've spoken to all the manufacturers, in Valencia and before, so I know what's coming. I've known about this fairing for some time; that's why it's already all painted. We discussed it, I'm happy with its design and it fits the rules.
I'm personally surprised they revealed it so early but, of course, they need to test these things and can get more data than others by being first. »
Do other manufacturers have fairings authorized by you?
“Not all, no. Some yes, others no. Some are still showing me the designs and it's their choice when they make it. Technically they don't have to show it to me until we're at the Qatar Grand Prix.
But I strongly recommend that all manufacturers show it to me first, because if they reveal it in Qatar and it is illegal in my eyes, they will have problems. So, I've always said it, it's up to them when they show it, the official deadline is 17 p.m. on Thursday in Qatar, but I advise them to do it before. »
Photo credit : MotoGP.com
