The contracts of all official drivers will be negotiated next year to take effect in 2019. Compared to recently, the situation has completely changed with the same number of top drivers, some on the rise (Andrea Dovizioso, Johann Zarco ) and others in decline (see the names of this year's Grand Prix winners). On the other hand, where there were three competitive manufacturers, there are now six.
To ensure the presence of at least one top rider within its team in 2019, each manufacturer will have to follow the auctions, launched by Ducati (or more precisely the American cigarette manufacturer which finances Ducati Corse) with 25 million over two years – 2017 and 2018 – for Jorge Lorenzo.
The situation is doubly complicated for the five other manufacturers, who do not have the tobacco money available, and who now have to deal with five adversaries and no longer two. Thus for Yamaha, Lin Jarvis, manager of the GP team, explains that “ This is what worries manufacturers. In the past, there were three leading manufacturers, and to be successful you had to hire a top driver to get maximum performance. Three manufacturers then made proposals to the drivers. It's more difficult now, because there are six. »
Jarvis therefore appeals to the rationality of the other team leaders: “I think it's up to all of us to keep control of pilot pay, which is not easy, because we're all competitors, and I think the pilot market could get very hot in the future . »
Marc Marquez proclaims from the rooftops (in fact especially his manager Emilio Alzamora) that he would prefer to stay at Honda, but the world's leading manufacturer will probably have to put his hand in his pocket to increase his 9 million annual revenues.
As for Valentino Rossi, the 12 million he currently receives seem correct compared to the results, especially since his ancillary income is around 10 million per year for advertising contracts. There is also income from investments in companies like Dainese, AGV, VR46 Academy, without forgetting the merchandising.
KTM is not going to try to hire Marc Marquez, as Sports Director Pit Beirer confirms: “ We are not looking for a superstar in another team, but we are working on our own pilot program. So when six manufacturers are looking for drivers, I think it is better to give a chance to our young hopefuls and build new upcoming superstars, and that is why we have been working in this paddock for years to promote new drivers , so I hope we get one in the future ».
Suzuki and Aprilia are very discreet on the transfer market, but if in 2018 the GSX-RR or the RS-GP prove highly competitive, the Japanese manufacturer like the Piaggio Group could have plans to recruit high level for 2019. Only one thing is certain: the salaries of the best pilots are not decreasing, and that is good for them.
Source: motorsport-total.com
