LCR Honda team owner Lucio Cecchinello recently said of its pilot Cal Crutchlow “He becomes a little more cautious. He is thinking more and more about taking the checkered flag in the best possible position. » And that's good, because falls have a high price, as Christophe Bourguignon, the Englishman's team leader, explained.
“Our team rents Honda RC213Vs, and the price obviously includes the cost of development and that of the HRC engineers who accompany us. In total we are talking about 2 million euros for Cal's two motorcycles, which also includes some software. It's a complete set. »
Currently, all MotoGP manufacturers and teams have concluded contracts with Dorna for a period of five years, which will end after the 2021 season. Current contracts provide for a maximum of 20 Grands Prix and each customer team receives 2,5 million euros from Dorna for each driver. At the same time, factory rental packages for their private teams are capped at €2,2 million per driver per season.
According to Christophe Bourguignon, “A fall in MotoGP can cost between 15 and 000 euros. A drop to 100 euros simply does not exist in MotoGP. If we're lucky, after a crash we just need to change a few parts we have in stock. But a big accident, or even a few small accidents in a row, can immediately put you in trouble. »
“For example, we only have five tanks of gasoline in stock. Same thing for exhausts and radiators. We use them during testing and then during the race. Over the course of a weekend you may have a few bad falls and when that happens you are very close to having a problem. If I order a part from HRC, there is a minimum production and delivery time and it can take up to 5 or 6 weeks. »
“The bikes these guys ride are heavy and very fast, so there's no small crash. If you fall forward you damage at least the fairing, the handlebar halves and many other carbon parts. Most things can be repaired and reused, but when you have an accident like the one we had in Australia in 2018, when we destroyed a frame and a swingarm, things are a little different: there is no practically no price for these things. »
“A set of carbon brake discs costs around 10 euros and every time the bike falls into the gravel there can be stones and gravel which damage the discs. We can't risk sending a rider onto the track on a bike going 000 km/h with broken brakes, so we always change them. If we move on to magnesium rims, a set costs around 300 euros. As Michelins are small and not very protective, we often have to change them, even for minor accidents. »
“A radiator can cost around 10 euros. The 000D instrumentation alone costs 2 euros, then there is the control unit with all the sensors… And the bike is full of sensors. We are between 2 and 500 euros for these parts alone. There is not a single electronic part that costs less than 10 euros. »
“I remember I never replaced an engine because of an accident. It is obviously well protected! Even after a bad accident, we had to change 90% of the parts, but not the engine. »
Christophe Bourguignon here on the right
Photos © LCR Honda
Source: GPOne. com
