Massimo Rivola brings a different story to the subject of sprint races. With a certain virulence, going as far as a thinly veiled call for a strike, Carlo Pernat regrets the way in which sprint races were promised for the 2023 MotoGP season, thus sounding the alarm. Far too many gray areas, particularly economic ones, are present according to the Italian manager who also regrets that the promoter Dorna has not embarked on a larger-scale marketing approach. Within the paddock, we find less clear-cut opinions and other sensitivities, like Massimo Rivola, sporting director of a brand beloved of Pernat: Aprilia.
We will also recall about Massimo rivola that he comes from Formula 1 with proven experience in his way of know-how and making people known. The Italian assessed what awaits MotoGP in 2023 and he has clearly chosen his side with this mention read on speedweek : " I am a supporter of sprint races ". And in the organization of the new format, he would have gone even further: “ I think warm up is a waste of time. Statistically, it's just the session where the drivers fall the most. This is supposed to be a session where you make final adjustments for the race. However, it takes place at a time where track temperatures are 20 degrees cooler than what you'll find in racing. But hey, I agree when they say that a few turns are enough to check that everything works ". A check which will nevertheless be deprived of Moto2 and Moto3.
However, as everything is not perfect, the man ofAprilia would have liked this: “ maybe we should have started with a few sprint races in the first year to test them ". And then there’s also this: “ I think with two races per GP weekend we should have fewer events, say 18 Grands Prix ". A threshold which was also announced by KTMMore Carmelo Ezpeleta instead intends to soon finalize a season at 22 Appointment.
Massimo Rivola: “ Dorna is starting to create more of a marketing environment and Le Mans is a big event«
Charles Pernat also regretted that Dorna focused everything on sprint races, leaving aside a more global marketing strategy. An assessment that is not shared Massimo rivola who is much less severe than his compatriot: “ I notice that Dorna's approach is starting to create more of a marketing environment. People want to see the pilots » he mentions about the “Rider Fan Show” promised on Sunday morning. “ As a spectator, I can imagine that there is more to it than just the racing. For example, I remember there being a lot of concerts on race weekends in the past. I was told it wouldn't work, but... ».
But there is the Grand Prix of France that the Italian praises: “ Le Mans is a great event. But we must also remember that in France there is only one event. In Italy, on the other hand, there are two, in Spain four so far. However the French promoter does a lot to attract people, for example with the price of tickets. Maybe we need to lower prices first to get people on track, then raise them again. I think we need to advertise more and more and find another way to do it. Like at Le Mans, where the drivers of the 24-hour classic organize a sort of parade in the city. We should start thinking about it ».
The Italian of 51 years ends with the arrivals of Kazakhstan and especially India : “I know that in Spain and Italy the market exists, but to develop a business you have to travel the world. For example, I'm really looking forward to going to India. I was just as happy when we went to Indonesia. These are the countries where the market can really grow » dates Rivola.
