The season will take place, the health protocol has been established and the calendar has been released. The entire paddock is relieved and will comply without complaining with the new constraints of a world after born from the Coronavirus pandemic. The hot weather, or the bad weather, the successive weekends of meetings, everything will be for the best in the best of all worlds because we have come a long way... Really? Lin Jarvis, for Yamaha, nevertheless points out a danger: its Japanese engineers will have the worst difficulties in going to Europe and working there. And compared to its competitors already established on the Old Continent, it fears unfair competition...
Between the European and Japanese manufacturers in MotoGP, there are sometimes tense relations. For example, at the height of confinement, Europeans closed their factories while in Japan, development continued. Then there was the technical freeze until 2022 which the Japanese took as a favor granted to the Europeans. The competition will resume at Jerez in mid-July. The opportunity to explain yourself fairly? Without a doubt. Although…
Lynn Jarvis, Yamaha , thus raises a problem that we could hear about during the course of this season. So, if Casa Particular in Viñales et Red will have no problem getting to the races, Yamaha still wonders if all its engineers will be able to arrive to allow the best possible exploitation of the YZR-M1.
The team leader explains: we have made it clear that we can only participate in MotoGP races if a solution is found. Our Japanese engineers in particular must be able to attend the Grand Prix. If they can't come, we're going to have a hard time doing the shopping. And if the Japanese can't arrive, Honda and Suzuki are also affected. This would clearly create a situation where European MotoGP manufacturers would benefit from a unfair advantage because they can compete with all their numbers. Our fear is that our participation in the championship will be considerably affected. It is therefore very important that this problem be clarified ».
Based on the tone used, the subject is very serious. And complex! Indeed : " even if we get exemptions from Japanese authorities for our Japanese engineers, we face another problem », reports Lynn Jarvis. " Our Japanese technicians cannot return to Japan between races because the quarantine rules in Japan still apply for travelers. Engineers must stay in Europe for a long time ».
Schengen agreements prove to be a problem
“But the Schengen Agreement states that foreigners are only allowed to stay in the Schengen area for 90 days continuously within a 180-day period. It's also a problem for other Asians and for Australians and New Zealanders. This is also a problem for drivers from other parts of the world, even Asian Talent Cup participants. In our MotoGP team we have three essential Australian technicians.”
« We are looking for solutions to this problem ", said Lynn Jarvis to Günther Wiesinger of Speedweek. com « We now have 13 fixed races on the calendar. But even if our engineers leave the Schengen area, it will not be enough before the final in Valencia in mid-November. We must therefore find solutions for everyone involved. Dorna supports us in these projects. No person from a non-EU member state can spend more than 90 days in the Schengen area within six months. If you're here for 92 days, it's illegal ».
Jarvis finished : " As a global company, at Yamaha we must comply with all laws. We will therefore not take any risks in this area. In our corporate policy, compliance with the law is essential. A company like Yamaha therefore does not want and will not do anything that does not comply with the law. Point ". The work of Carmelo Ezpeleta is far from over...
