Valentino Rossi and others spoke out in Portugal on the appearance of light panels on the side of the Portimao runway. They are supposed to better inform pilots of the safety regime under which the route is placed. As a matter of fact, there was the concrete case of the Portuguese Q2 in MotoGP with unseen yellow flags leading to sanctions. Which fueled the debates. And strengthened opinions.
The idea of light panels dates from last year and it does not only concern motorcycle Grands Prix. This is a principle which must be imposed on all circuits in 2022. This is a common approach of the two motor sports federations which are the END for motorcycles and FIA for the car. The two authorities work together to preserve the integrity of pilots.
La END and FIA had already agreed on painting standards covering the sides of the track. This is so that these parts are no longer as slippery as before. This time, we are moving from colors to lights since from 2022, the circuits which host the disciplines organized by the two federations will have to be equipped with common light panels to guarantee better safety.
A Portimao, the system was presented, and we talked about it all the more as there were still problems with the visibility of yellow flags. “ Signs are useful ", asserted Valentino Rossi. « MotoGP is now so fast that the yellow flag is really out of fashion. It's very difficult to see them. In Formula 1 we have seen that these light signals are of great help ».
Rossi: “it’s also a question of money”
However, the nine-time world champion stressed: “ it's also a question of money. It's expensive because you need a lot of panels which also have to be big, like in Formula 1. The idea with the panels is good in itself, but it all depends on their number and size ».
After qualifying MotoGP à Portimão, yellow flags were once again a topic of conversation. The situation with Pecco Bagnaia could it have been avoided by an illuminated sign? “ We would have seen a sign better than just the yellow flag. However, if it had only been placed on the right, like the flag, it would still have been difficult to see ", precise Red. " There should have been a sign on the left, because it is a left turn. The pilot sees what is on the left, not the right ».
Aleix Espargaró, the official Aprilia also sheds light on the subject of the light sign and flags from the point of view of driver discipline: “ the pilots must also help. Because it often happens that you see the yellow flags, but some people don't want to see them »...
