This is a collateral consequence of the arrival of KTM in the world of MotoGP. A world driven by a specialized workforce that is not found on every street corner. However, with six manufacturers now in the running, there is a sense of heightened competition that has taken hold. And not just on the track. Also on the job market!
This is a forgotten aspect of the Grands Prix. Personnel transfers do not only concern pilots. For them to have winning equipment, you need a competent team capable of giving it to them. As a result, the head researchers also go to the stands. As noted by the site SportRider, in the past, there were two poles: Honda and Yamaha. Then private teams. Currently we have six manufacturers on the move. Skills are traded and salaries are increasing because demand is now high in relation to supply. Better, go poach the opponent, it is also a strategy to weaken him.
The maneuvers behind the scenes have multiplied. We know that Cristian Gabarrini
will leave Honda and the follow-up of Jack Miller to go and find Casey Stoner and Ducati in order to support the efforts of Jorge Lorenzo. Since we are at Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS, we will note that the chief mechanic of Rabat, Chris Pike, formerly of Jonathan Rea, prepares to move to other skies with a member of Telemetry in his luggage. We also know that
Mark Rigamonti will leave Ducati at the same time as Iannone which he will supervise at Suzuki. There he will find a certain Manuel Cazeaux left from Ducati to become the current engineer of Maverick Vinales.
Note that fidgeting, however, does not affect everyone. At Yamaha, we must be happy there because no one will follow
Lorenzo among the reds.
That said, alongside these individual approaches, there are also corporate strategies. KTM does not hide its desire to cut corners from Honda. And the Austrians are happily drawing from the pool of the winged coat of arms with unstoppable economic arguments. It started with Mike leitner who ended his professional adventure with Pedrosa to take the position of president of KTM On-Road and responsible for managing the new official MotoGP team. Quite a few HRC mechanics would also be heading to Mattighofen. Good luck when we remember that Honda had poached two of the best Yamaha engineers for electronics…
Enough to dangerously thin the ranks at Honda? We will see.
But what is certain is that with now three Japanese manufacturers and three other Europeans, a new balance of political forces is also being established. Too bad it’s a little late for the fins…
