The news of the ban on all journalists during the shakedown at Sepang, which will bring together rookie Augusto Fernandez and the test riders of the five manufacturers entered in MotoGP from February 5 to 7, caused some emotion in the paddock. So much so that Dorna is now partially reconsidering her position. A closed session which would have been requested by the teams, so much so that it was their association Irta which communicated this decision to keep things clear. But this theoretical unanimity is no longer required since at KTM we not only announce an open door, but we also point the finger at the counterpart through whom the scandal happened...
It's off to a strong start in MotoGP in this 2023 vintage which will see its first excursion on the track in Malaysia on the track of Sepang. Before the big return of the titular pilots which will be consumed from 10 at 12 February, there will be the shakedown preliminary. Generally, it's a getting started formality that doesn't attract much attention but this year, we decided to make one entrenched camp. A request for absolute discretion whose effect was to attract attention and the spotlight, like the protests... Exactly the opposite hoped for.
A reaction which cracked the beautiful unanimity which had been put forward to justify this situation since KTM clearly dissociates itself from it, even mentioning that, with them, it will be an open door… We read thus on GPone the position of the team manager of the official team Francesco Guidotti : " I was really surprised by this news. We always had the shakedown at Sepang. For how many years ? 20 years ? I do not remember. Initially, these were private tests, organized by the teams, then, with the constant decrease in the number of tests, they became IRTA tests for organizational reasons ».
"In Sepang, at KTM we will be open and without exclusions ”
This historical point made, he specifies: “ I learned in recent days that journalists will be prohibited from remaining in the pitlane. Honestly, saying it 15 days in advance is unacceptable ". The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team principal took the opportunity to add: “ KTM has no problem, we are open and we have no prejudice as to the presence of journalists, quite the contrary ».
A real blow to overall cohesion, but the Italian goes even further by pointing out the direction in which we must look to find out who requested the closed session... " This is the usual Japanese manufacturer. They complained because during the tests they had to place the signs in front of the bikes when the riders return to the box, but I didn't tell you anything ". Then he finishes: “ in any case, at KTM, I repeat, we will be open and without exclusions ».
It now remains to be seen whether Francesco Guidotti Talk about Honda or Yamaha . In any case, the discontent and incomprehension generated by this decision led Dorna to relax the terms... Journalists will be admitted to the circuit, they will be able to stay in the press room, in the paddock, on the service roads, but not in the pit lane. Except at KTM.
