The Malaysian Grand Prix was marked by an unusual episode: Johann Zarco's attempt to follow Pedro Acosta in the pit lane. The Frenchman quickly understood that the young Spaniard had a very particular technique for gaining time...
Johann zarco couldn't help but smile as he recalled his failed attempt to follow Pedro Acosta during qualifying at Sepang. The French driver was hoping to be overtaken by the 20-year-old rookie on his GASGAS, but he quickly realised that the situation was more complex than expected.
« After my first tire, I didn't know how to go much faster and I wanted to follow someone ", has explained zarco. Unfortunately, he failed to catch up. Acosta, who seemed to disappear at high speed into the pit lane. "I think he has disabled the speed limiter! He did it twice. He knows the fine is 1 euros. So he knows that when he wants to catch someone, it will be 1 euros! This is the MotoGP style – when you have more money! », joked zarco.
Despite this mishap, Johann zarco managed to finish top of the Q1 session, whileAcosta narrowly missed out on a place in Q2, finishing third.
Johann Zarco: “ This is the MotoGP style – when you have more money! »
The “pay for tow” tactic is possible in the MotoGP, because the rules state that a driver will not be penalized for exceeding the speed limit 60 km/h in the pit lane only once, provided he does not exceed an "excessively high speed". However, repeated infractions can result in increasingly heavy fines.
Simon Crafar, future president of the commissioners FIM MotoGP has hinted that the rules regarding speeding in the pit lane could change next year, but added: " it doesn't concern me! »
For now, the drivers and their teams are willing to take the risk, because a fine of 1 euros is a price they are willing to pay to improve their qualifying performance.
In the meantime, Peter Acosta is preparing for the final at Barcelona next weekend, with a three-point lead over Brad Binder in the fight for fifth place in the world championship.
