Carmelo Ezpeleta achieved the feat, with his Dorna troops, of bringing together the Grand Prix paddock endangered by the pandemic that we know to better preserve it and organize, against all odds, a MotoGP season. However, this tour de force has a price to pay: a reduced but intense schedule, and, above all, a health protocol that resembles strict internal regulations. It will be necessary to respect him, otherwise he will disappear... The 74-year-old Spaniard with the iron fist in a velvet glove reminds everyone how to behave in Jerez, which will be the opening of MotoGP hostilities in the middle of July…
Carmelo Ezpeleta did what was necessary and how it was necessary to save his paddock in the face of the crisis of Coronavirus. As the first meeting approaches Jerez organized in the next world, he now asks, and quite legitimately, his flock to show as much sense of responsibility as he assumed towards them at the height of a deadly confinement...
He thus mobilizes minds: “ you have to be very careful. We have done a lot and it is in the interest of everyone involved in the championship. I hope the situation improves for the better, but it can still get worse ". He adds : " our protocol was developed during the worst phase of the pandemic. I think the protocol is suitable for the worst case scenario. If we stick to it, everything will be fine ».
On the question of closed doors, he recalls: “ Jerez wanted to check if a small number of visitors could come to the Grand Prix. But in our opinion, it would have been a time bomb if 10 people had come. It would have been impossible to control them. I am open to suggestions, but they must be appropriate ».
“We are going to use an application with location”
Carmelo Ezpeleta therefore also has a firm hand. And he confirms: “ we will not sanction people, but those who behave inappropriately and become infected must come out. If we see someone from the paddock in a bar we will test them. If the result is positive, we and other infected people will. We will use an application with location ».
« But I must also say that I have great confidence in people. Everyone who works in this championship is aware of the seriousness of the problem. There was a phase where we didn't know if we were going to get through this ordeal ". However… " There were some who did not behave properly. But I expected it. After 30 years we all know each other well ».
The boss of Dorna ends on Motorsport-Total on the economic crisis which mainly impacts the Moto2 and Moto3 teams. He understands, but he’s not fooled either… “ I think that the economic aspect should not be used as an excuse. If all goes well, we will have 13 grand prizes. Dorna will pay everyone accordingly, no amount will be reduced ". To the wise...
