Stefan Bradl has a busy schedule. And without a doubt the most extensive of the test riders known in MotoGP. In 2020, he completed 12 of the 14 Grands Prix on the calendar on the Honda, he continues to ride the RC213V during this off-season, and when he arrives in Qatar, for the first tests on March 5, he will have 12 days of riding in the arms, facing the rest of the field which will find the MotoGP forgotten since November 22. At least this will be the case for the regular drivers. But as Bradl will undoubtedly replace Marc Marquez during the first two Grands Prix at Losail, it's starting to annoy...
Considering the results, Honda is the great victim of the loss of Marc Marquez, still forced to forfeit due to convalescence from a humerus injury operated on three times. The factory team Repsol can't do anything other than use the test driver Stefan bradl to plug the gap, which no longer allows us to play for victories, or even podiums and even less for a title. However, the German has progressed and technically advanced the RC213V which has actually started to change. And above all, it drives so much more. For opponents, the sustainability of this situation turns into a distortion of competition.
A file which will be opened with the “Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers Association” (MSMA extension) seized to examine whether the number of Grand Prix requests for test drivers as replacements should not be limited... On this matter, it is KTM which is expressed in broad daylight: “ Honda certainly had an advantage last year thanks to test rider Stefan Bradl ", said Pete Beirer, director of KTM Motorsport. “ As a world champion team, HRC had testing opportunities like only a franchise team normally has. It was unfair to other manufacturers. Therefore we will discuss whether a test pilot can in the future be a replacement pilot a maximum of three or four times a year ».
It must be said that this is an unprecedented situation experienced by Honda in 2020. Injuries as serious and prolonged as those of Marc Marquez have created a precedent, in a world accustomed to the return of starting drivers three or four races at the latest after their injury. It will be recalled that, normally, a test driver can only make a maximum of three wildcard appearances per season. Only dealership teams, i.e. factories without podiums like Aprilia, are authorized to let the test driver ride… Five Grand Prix per year. But Honda is in a case of force majeure.
KTM raises the question of equal opportunities
What annoys opposing teams is that Honda apparently already knew in August 2020 that Marc Marquez would not be able to compete in a single race until the end of the year. The first bone graft at the beginning of August had been kept secret, as had the infection. Officially, if we remember the press releases, Stefan bradl was only called up as a replacement driver from one weekend to the next.
Stefan bradl trained for three days Jerez in December since the start of the testing ban, which only applies to regular drivers, four days in January, and he was back in Jerez on Monday, where he tested on Wednesday and Thursday, when Ducati let the six regular drivers pilot… Panigale V4S. “ We will test again Monday and Tuesday ", announced Stefan bradl in an interview given to Speedweek. com. " I'm not going home on Thursday ».
« Our approach is not directed against Stefan, but it is about equal opportunities , Note Pete Beirer. It will be recalled that KTM has in its midst a renowned test pilot with Dani Pedrosa. But in the latter's contract, it is mentioned that he cannot be mobilized to run. This option depends solely on his will. Finally, it should be noted that this subject will not improve the relations between KTM et Honda. Coincidence or not, during the presentation of the Austrian troops, Honda sent a press release on the state of health of Marc Marquez and leaked photos ofAlex Marquez as the new driver of the LCR team…
