Speaking of the number of things to evaluate and validate before launching into competition, Davide Tardozzi from Ducati confirms what Nicolas Goyon for Tech3 GASGAS had already pointed out: never has a MotoGP season been so hard to prepare. Because there is not only the machine and its now numerous aerodynamic, mechanical or electronic developments to worry about. We must also reinvent the general organization of a meeting with the advent of a new format in which sprints will be the great unknown. The Italian talks about it, but not in a bad way.
A 64 years, Davide Tardozzi remains an authentic enthusiast of competition, a keen soul who above all keeps his childish soul: “ I'm curious » he said about the new Grand Prix format of this 2023 MotoGP season. But he is also a responsible adult… “ At our level, curiosity is not enough, otherwise we suddenly realize that something is wrong ". And he adds: “ that is why you have to organize yourself and understand the new format. We have run numerous simulations to increase our understanding of how to best run a sprint race ».
Because there will be consequences: “ we have already simulated this, we have evaluated the necessary data and measurements. As we all know, we need to review the amount of gasoline in the tank and fix this and that. There is so much to analyze » he warns. “ Our engineers have already carried out simulations which we will probably also do during winter testing ».
Davide Tardozzi: “le nouveau format change définitivement la gestion et l’état d’esprit du week-end de course, y compris dans l’esprit des pilotes"
But what does he think will prove to be a revolution in use? He answers : " for me sprint races are a good idea. This definitely changes the management and mindset of the race weekend, including in the minds of the drivers ».
He explains why: “ the pressure is different, but the pressure is managed. Dealing with pressure is part of the job. Champions know how to deal with it and when the pressure of the new format increases, it will show who is a champion “, he assures. At the same time, he admits: “ in my opinion, sprint races are good, but I also think it's not fair to have 21 races and 21 sprint races in the first year. I would have put them in 50% of the races the first year. For me, sprint races are great because I love racing. But I will definitely have to suffer during the 21 races and 21 sprints ».
And this love of racing is also an argument to answer the question of the bonuses to be distributed at the finish of the new competition on Saturday, which is still pending. We thus read from Tardozzi on speedweek : " When all this talk about another race came up, I asked the drivers, "But when you were young, didn't you wait for the opportunity to race as much as possible?" Why aren't you happy today if you are asked to do another race or even a test? ". When we told you that Davide Tardozzi had kept his childish soul...
