The MotoGP handlebars could soon be adorned with a new button among the countless which already populate it to control mechanical devices which optimize performance. But this time, the accessory would be for the safety of the pilots on a track with conditions beyond tolerable to carry out their job without danger. This idea germinated in particular after the Grand Prix of Thailand and Australia. The first was marked by asphalt so wet that the riders could not see a drop, while the second was swept by gusts of wind so strong that Moto2 protagonists found themselves blown to the ground. This project is progressing, and it even has its procedure…
Will MotoGP riders have a “ red flag button " in the future ? This is under study and it could only be activated in the case of track conditions deemed, from the motorcycle, to be impassable. For MotoGP, this would a priori only concern testing in heavy rain, because in racing, the “flag to flag” rule with change of motorcycle is supposed to avoid the interruption of the debates. That being said, there is the question of the wind, which Phillip Island raised. Until then, to warn the race management of a real danger in continuing the competition, the drivers had the option of raising their arm. A custom that has fallen into disuse and which also calls into question the good faith of each person according to their interests in the race...
This button opens the voting procedure for the deployment of the red flag
In this case, there would be a vote. The drivers would then have the opportunity to press this button which would identify them to the race management who would then open accounts. And if 80% If there were any calls for a red flag, officials would deploy it. “ When 80% of pilots, even the last one, or the 16th, press a button and send a signal indicating that the situation is dangerous, it's like a vote. I think it will be easier for Race Direction if we can send them this information " commented Luca marini on the subject at crach.net.
« It's like in F1, but they can talk on the radio. It's too difficult for us to speak, but by pressing a button we can do it easily because we already push a lot on a turn, so, one more button is no problem » adds the pilot of the VR46 which ends: “ we are also open to other ideas, but this is the simplest ". According to the source, said button could also be used to help race management quickly assess the number of drivers who believe a race start should be delayed, after encountering track conditions during their lap(s). s) recognition towards the grid. A situation which had caused debate in Thailand, and in particular between Aleix Espargaró et fabio quartararo. To be continued…
