After two Grands Prix completed in this season which promises 21, and four races completed out of the now 42 to be done, a first assessment is possible about the new format of the events which brings MotoGP into a new era. And who better than MotoGP sporting director Carlos Ezpeleta to tackle it?
Carlos Ezpeleta talks about the new Grand Prix format put in place by Dorna and he begins his remarks by recalling the main idea of the subject: “ the new sprint on Saturday at 15:00 p.m. is the centerpiece. The sprint is not just another race, it's a different format. 20 minutes is as quickly as possible. This is intended to attract new fans and also to remind that there is a race the next day ».
In his interview on motorsport total, he also recalls the reason for all this: “ the core of our philosophy is for fans to have a better experience. As Dorna and with the teams, we try to do more to bring more to the fans, but also to win new ones ". An expansion of the base which is a priority reiterated, and which will be confirmed by the next hiring of a big name from the NBA to boost the commercial approach.
« We cannot drive in city centers », also indicates Carlos Ezpeleta, in reference to the many new urban circuits in Formula 1 or Formula E. But on this subject, we will recall that his father Carmelo reflects with the big boss of Formula 1 on a major urban spectacle bringing together the two disciplines in one weekend major motor sports dedicated to speed…
Carlos Ezpeleta: “ it's good for us from a business point of view, but also for the fans »
But the Dorna sports director continues: “ hundreds of thousands of fans come to our circuits. We need to make sure they can connect with their heroes. NOW, there are two races and the fan parade. This is a big step forward ". And indeed, with numerous fan activities on the circuit but also via social networks, Dorna is trying to better market MotoGP and also to address new fans. A strategy that Claude Michy and his team had long understood in the organization of a Grand Prix of France which is today a real reference.
Carlos Ezpeleta ends with the hot topic of the Sprint. On the spectacle side, the racing scenarios held at Portimao and at Termas de Rio Hondo showed all the legitimacy of the great novelty. On the drivers' side, circumstances meant that at the Argentine Grand Prix, the grid numbers were reduced from 22 to 17 drivers, with the five absent recovering from injuries. The next round will be Austin, a route considered to be the most demanding on the calendar. Will the pilots be able to cope with this infernal pace?
The Spaniard does not deny that it is necessary to study the situation closely, but he immediately dismisses the idea of a meeting with and without Sprint, as in Formula 1: “ it is an advantage for us that all race weekends are the same. It's good for us from a business point of view, but also for the fans »Says Ezpeleta. " It was important that we had the same format everywhere. I think this is the right way to go ". But he also points out: “ if something doesn't work we are open to making changes ».
