The official revelation of the new MotoGP Grand Prix format confirmed that the validation of the sprint races in this 2023 season would profoundly change the appearance of the campaign, and its title race. On this advent, there are still things to be resolved and in particular this famous question of the bonuses to be distributed to the drivers upon arrival, a subject for which Carlo Pernat has become the spokesperson, raising even the specter of a resounding strike on the starting grid in Austin, third meeting on the calendar. This new competition was also taken into account in the winter preparation not only of the drivers but also of the teams. Because the rhythm will change completely, as Johann Zarco confirms.
By the way, with two races and no longer just one as before, the same Johann zarco sees his chances of winning his first Grand Prix in MotoGP doubled. Even if, and Dorna clarified, the “real” winner of the weekend will be chosen at the end of the Sunday performance. But even a “half victory” since acquired over half the distance of the Sunday race, will be good to take for the 32-year-old Frenchman, who remains one of the veterans of the clan Ducati to have your success meter always flat.
Johann Zarco: “nous aurons moins de temps pour nous détendre"
Since 2017, the double Moto2 World Champion has been chasing this Grail. With the sprint race, it will be necessary to change its approach and its strategies, adjustments such as he made one of the arguments to explain his separation from Jean Michel Bayle. But concretely, what impact will this new competition have on a driver?
Johann zarco explains it like this on motogp.com : " we will have less time to relax, we will have to be competitive right away. For qualifying we will have to be on the first row of the grid and get a good start. Some pilots have good skills to achieve this. Additionally, it will still be helpful for us to understand what is needed for Sunday's race ". In short, no downtime, with two motorcycle configurations to be determined and applied fairly quickly... And watch out for falls! But for the famous moment of relaxation, there will still be communion with the fans which will be organized on Sunday morning. Here is the reminder of the new format.
