Let's talk MotoGP: So, this 75th anniversary, a success?

You couldn't have missed it. MotoGP celebrated its 75th anniversary during the Silverstone weekend, and this was marked by special decorations, many of which paid homage to the history of our sport. What worked, and what didn't? Here we go for a little retrospective!

 

Awesome

 

First, let me say that I loved it. I talked about it in an article dedicated to this just before the GP, but it kept all its promises, and not only thanks to the historic decorations. Moreover, the little teaser published by the official account MotoGP was misleading because the teams did not opt ​​for the colors that one could guess. This added a little element of surprise that was quite attractive.

 

 

Music

 

Everything was generally successful. The pilots' introductory music was modified for the occasion, covering some of the biggest classics in rock history. It was grandiose; I particularly appreciated the end, where the Ducati of Bagnaia looked straight into the fairing at the victorious AJS of Leslie Graham, first world motorcyclist champion in 1949. You can find it here if you haven't seen it, and I advise you to turn up the volume:

 

 

Incredible decorations

 

Now is the time to judge the decorations. In my opinion, the most successful was none other than the official Aprilia, which paid homage to Max Biaggi. Particularly, that of Maverick Vinales with the n°12 in yellow. It was faithful, aesthetic, and pretty to look at. I also really liked the official Ducati, which used the color code from 2003. Honestly, they should keep it until the end of the year because I find it much more beautiful that way.

The Repsol Hondas were crazy too, we thought we saw Randy Mamola again and Freddie spencer on the track, provided you look at the rankings backwards. Overall, we must congratulate all the teams, because none of them skimped. In addition, some mechanics even dressed in their most beautiful “old-fashioned” tunics to stick with the theme, notably at Yamaha and LCR Honda. An extra touch of history which is pleasing, and which shows the involvement of the different actors in the project.

 

 

Some brands play the game… and others less

 

One of my fears was justified. I dreamed of seeing certain brands change their typography for an older one, but on this point, it is always difficult to make them understand that it could be worth it. So, let’s already highlight the good students. Let me congratulate Michelin, the company that played the game the most. Engineers equipped with varsity jackets straight out of the 1980s, stylish caps snapback with flat visors for the three men on the podium, old-fashioned orange logo on all the machines and combinations… the French firm was exemplary. Dn the same genre, Castrol delighted with the decoration of Johann Zarco's Honda.

On the other hand, others were a little disappointed. First of all, Monster Energy. It was the title sponsor of the British Grand Prix, and in this sense, we understand that they cannot necessarily play with their image. But all the same, it was too clear. Then, Red Bull, another major player in MotoGP who could have brought a touch of history (and aesthetics) to the official KTMs, which were not very successful for my taste.

 

 

Less daring decorations

 

The level was high but some teams did not stand out on this point. The Aprilia Trackhouse Racing livery was beautiful, but perhaps there was more to do with America's Grand Prix sporting heritage. Apart from the white KTMs, I admit not having understood the Austrian firm's project for GasGas Tech3. However, the French team has such a rich history… it’s a shame. Similar observation for Ducati VR46, which could have found much better in the Valentino Rossi catalog to honor it. In the end, it was Gresini Racing that disappointed me the most. Not because the Marquez brothers' Desmosedici GP23 wasn't beautiful, but because we had already seen it during the 2022 San Marino Grand Prix, with Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio at the handlebars!

 

Conclusion

 

I didn't expect so much involvement from the different parties. It was splendid. NOW, I would like this to become a tradition as is the case for the Darlington weekend in NASCAR, in the United States. In Assen rather than Silverstone, in fact, because unfortunately, the public did not seem to be there.

I can't wait to read your feedback on these celebrations! What did you think of it? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport