It’s an idea that’s gaining ground. Since the 2020 season is not happening as planned, and moreover, it is not even happening at all while waiting for better, everything that was negotiated must be reviewed. Carmelo Ezpeleta said it for his sphere of competence with the organizers and other broadcasters, the satellite teams are talking about it with their factories, and the technical regulations have been frozen. End of series ? No, pilots' contracts could also be impacted by this cold snap...
In principle why not. If everything needs to be renegotiated, why not include the pilots' contracts. They will already be financially impacted by an economic situation promised to be more gloomy at the end of this pandemic. A theory defended since the start of the crisis by Razlan Razali who invested in a Yamaha latest generation for Fabio Quartararo. However, not only is the bike not running, but, in addition, in 2021, the Frenchman will be in the factory team... Hence the idea of keeping him for another year!
But it is not just the Malaysian in this logic. The manager of Dovizioso and Baldassarri, or Baptist, what is Simone Battistella, is also in the movement: “ for contracts, in my opinion, a lot will be linked to the sensitivity of the drivers and the approach of the teams. I hope common sense will prevail. The Japanese have already said they have no plans to renegotiate the contracts, so I don't think anyone who has already signed will have any problems. »
« For some, the situation will be complicated » nevertheless adds the Italian. “ Álex Márquez is making his debut, he hasn't even raced a Grand Prix, but he has a contract that expires in 2020. Of course, Honda can't change him before the races even start. The same situation also for KTM with Lecuona and Binder, but also the same Ducati with Zarco. »
More Alex Marquez can count on a big brother. Mark states: “ there are many who have not yet signed a contract, who must prove that they deserve a place in MotoGP, in Moto2, in Moto3 and, among them there is my brother. » He therefore develops: “ I think teams need to have tact or a little more open mind. Motorcycle development has been frozen from 2020 to 2021 and I think that's a good thing because team budgets will also be affected by this pandemic. Why not do something similar with pilot contracts? They could be frozen like nothing happened this year. But these are things that are beyond my control. »
However, it costs nothing to give your opinion, especially if you are the boss at Honda until 2024… Alex Marquez, for its part, commented on what would be an automatic renewal: “ I want to run and win my renewal with results. As a driver, I wouldn't want to sign a contract without racing. It might happen, but I hope not. » It will be recalled that all hopes of a start to the season have been postponed until August...
