Mercedes F1 man Toto Wolff has criticized the MotoGP format with the introduction of the Sprint race, a charge that Carlos Ezpeleta responded to by also making observations about F1. This at a time when the F1 British Grand Prix is taking place on a Silverstone track that MotoGP will return to for its own meeting at the treacherous Albion next August, and which will mark the opening of the second half of this season.
Carmelo Ezpeleta has repeatedly stated that he watches F1 a lot to get ideas that could be used to improve MotoGP. He had no problem saying he was willing to copy whatever solution he saw fit. And the new sales director Dan Rossomondo admitted that he hopes that in the near future, it will be F1's turn to imitate motorcycle Grands Prix.
MotoGP was thus inspired by Formula 1 by introducing the Sprint race into the 2023 championship. Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, believes that it makes no sense to adopt the new format at every Grand Prix: “ I believe in traditions “, he told the Tiroler Tageszeitung, “ and I follow MotoGP, I like it a lot. But there are things I don't understand. The driver complains on Saturday, but is happy again on Sunday. You can't stand all this, I don't like it. MotoGP shows how not to do things ».
Carlos Ezpeleta, sports director of Dorna Sports, was contacted by speedweek to respond to the statements of Wolff : " I agree with keeping the basic elements of the sport the way as simple and understandable as possible. For this we introduced the Sprint race in all events, so as to have an identical program ».
Carlos Ezpeleta: “ I don't know how long F1 can continue to grow with a driver who wins by a minute in advance »
In F1 there have been three Sprint races until 2022 and from this year there are six. Liberty Media, the American company that owns the championship, would not mind increasing them further, but the teams and drivers are holding back. In MotoGP, it was decided to adopt the new functionality for each meeting on the calendar, without making any distinction.
Ezpeleta also made some critical remarks about the Formula 1 format: “ you qualify on Friday for Sunday and Saturday for Saturday. No one can say it's easier to understand than the MotoGP concept ».
The sporting director of Dorna Sports also recognized F1's prowess for gaining popularity thanks to the Drive To Survive docu-series on Netflix: “They did a great job trying to gain new fans. Many people keep saying that sports don't matter, they are attracted by the spectacle and the package. I don't know how long they can continue to grow in the current state of the sport, where a driver wins with a minute to spare ».
In Formula 1 there is total domination of Max Verstappen with Red Bull, while in the premier category of the World Championship there are more fights even if Ducati is the predominant manufacturer. Ezpeleta concludes: it is important to present a good marketing topic or concept. We are making efforts to improve ourselves commercially, but presenting a spectacular and exciting sport makes a big difference ».
