Things are changing quickly in MotoGP which has set itself the objective of having its 2020 season at all costs. For the moment, we are moving in the right direction and towards a Jerez route which would launch hostilities on July 19. A scenario that was unimaginable only a week ago, something that Lin Jarvis, the Yamaha manager, readily admits, who then barely thought about the month of September. Which also implies that the flashback can be violent...
Claude Michy had reminded him: it is the coronavirus who's ordering. Men are reduced only to making conjectures. But you have to believe in it and move forward, act and not suffer, despite everything. The Grand Prix troop led by its General Ezpeleta therefore consider Jerez as a rallying point to finally launch the 2020 season, after almost six months off.
July 19 in Jerez, then Brno (August 9) and Spielberg (August 16) are the objectives for the 42 teams in the paddock. A situation unimaginable just eight days ago: “ I thought even September might be difficult » confesses Lynn Jarvis. " We really want everyone to return to the circuit soon », summarizes Lin Jarvis on Speedweek. com to Günter Wiesinger. “ If certain countries do not relax their measures in time, we will ride twice in a row on certain circuits. We will comply with any reasonable solution, we owe it not only to our sport, but also to the TV channels, the entire GP business, the fans, the works, the sponsors and everyone else involved. »
“Eight Grands Prix would be acceptable”
A real call for general mobilization, even if many questions are still unanswered: “ This is what makes this crisis so problematic. We depend on national situations in many different countries. We have team members who are now in Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands or Belgium. We don't know when we can bring these employees back to Europe. Even Japan has declared an emergency. The Japanese are generally very cautious. Therefore, it may be some time before they can leave and return home. Our Japanese engineers would spend six to eight weeks in Europe for the first races of the summer. It is currently not possible to say whether they will be able to return. »
The general manager of Yamaha Motor Racing concludes: “ in these unusual circumstances, ten races would be enough to choose worthy world champions. If there is no other way, the number could be reduced to eight events. That would be acceptable. » In 1980, only eight Grands Prix took place, all in Europe. In 1979, an overseas Grand Prix took place, in Venezuela.
