MotoGP. Exclusive interview with Jacky Hutteau: “The pilots, who are fighters, are boiling with impatience”

The current situation raises a lot of questions. This is the first time in the history of Grands Prix that such an upheaval has taken place and it is still too early to have a global vision of all the events and their consequences.

In this very complicated situation, we asked Jacky Hutteau for his point of view, who benefits from extensive experience based on his experience as a GP driver, commentator and industry representative. He doesn't have a crystal ball either, but his vast experience allows him to see the big picture.

Certain industrial technical partners of several teams have sent equipment and products by boat in containers for distant Grands Prix, such as competition fuel and lubricants. Are they going to bring these products back now by boat, or leave them there until the Grand Prix takes place, for example in November?

“As far as we are concerned, this year we sent the fuel for the MotoGP tests, the Qatar Grand Prix, as well as for the Superbikes racing there the following week. We all learned what happened next. »

“I waited a few days because we didn't know what was going to happen, even though it was absolutely logical that the Superbike event was going to be canceled. Unfortunately we were unable to repatriate our products because it is very complicated in terms of fuel and in general dangerous products”

“So our products are still out there. I had a lot of difficulty because I must admit that some people tend to take advantage of the situation and charge huge prices to stock the products. So a lot of exchanges and discussion, and it's not completely resolved at the moment. »

Maintaining physical fitness is very important for pilots. How can they do it while remaining confined to their homes?

“It's not easy (laughing), I suppose there are some people who jump rope in their apartment*. Those who are lucky enough to have a slightly larger plot of land may be able to run around the house. »

*Like El Diablo, see video below.

“But above all they must be boiling, chomping at the bit. They have to keep in physical and mental shape because they are still racing animals, fighters. It doesn't traumatize them, but it certainly bothers them. »

« Donc leur entraînement n’a sans doute rien à voir avec ce qu’ils peuvent faire habituellement. C’est de l’entraînement “confiné”, dont de la gymnastique et de la musculation. Il faut garder le mental qui est également extrêmement important. Il faut réussir à conserver la combativité. »

Teams in the MotoGP category have a relatively solid financial base, compared to that of certain small Moto2 and Moto3 teams. Should we be worried about the survival of these small teams?

" I think so. I have no additional information at this level, but knowing the fragility of some who ensure their season with the bonuses allocated by Dorna via the IRTA, many of them will undoubtedly have difficulties. »

“Staff are rarely laid off because the vast majority of employees are self-employed. They are at home moping and biting their nails because there is no work. So this prevents teams from having to pay them because they are not employees of the company, except in rare exceptions, such as Tech 3 which employs a lot of employees. »

“There will be a disaffection from a certain number of partners who currently have other fish to fry and other problems to solve than giving money to teams in Grand Prix. So we can be worried. Without being pessimistic, being realistic, I believe that there will be major financial difficulties for the majority of these teams in the lower categories. »

In your opinion, what influence will the current health situation have on the competition?

“We can see it clearly, with the Grands Prix delayed, postponed, or even canceled. So we're all wondering when the first deadline will be, the first release. We are all here pawing, going in circles, trying to imagine when we will be able to resume and every day we see that it is delayed. »

“In terms of influence on the Championship, it is obvious that there will be fewer Grands Prix. How much ? no one knows at the moment. The contract between the FIM and Dorna provides for a minimum of 13 Grands Prix, but in exceptional situations, exceptional conditions. »

“I think that everyone only wants one thing, beyond the spectacular and really more important problem which concerns everyone's health, and that is to be able to leave again. I have spoken with a number of managers recently, Spanish, Italian, and even French of course. Everyone is there waiting and hoping that it can start again, with the competitive spirit. »

“What will the Championship be worth, we can also ask ourselves. I believe that if there are fewer races, they will perhaps be even more competitive because everyone will only want to fight and show their potential, to catch up. wasted time as much as possible. »

The crisis has repercussions on the industrial and commercial level. Can we fear a withdrawal of manufacturers from the competition?

“Builders? I do not believe. I don't hope so. Now, the scale of the crisis is so significant that it will have repercussions on everyone's turnover. »

“The manufacturers will be weakened, without a doubt, but after all it will depend on the general trend. The CEO of a company can tell people in the competition department to “calm down”. But I don't think so, I don't hope so, I prefer to remain optimistic. »

 

Photos © Fabio Quartararo personal, Paddock-GP.com