Johann Zarco is in his thirties and given the lowered average age of the MotoGP starting grid with the arrival of the new wave, he can be placed among the old generation. Only Pol Espargaró, at 31, and Valentino Rossi, who breaks the record at almost 42, precede him in the age pyramid. Is this why we know of his “old-fashioned” positions on certain themes relating to the evolution of the category? Probably not, because his arguments are above all stamped with the seal of common sense. So, regarding the increasing communication between the driver and his pit in the middle of a Grand Prix...
This is one of the themes that brightened up the conversations in the paddock during the 2020 season of MotoGP. Which ? That of thinking about how to develop communication between the driver and his stand during the event. The reference on this question is a Formula 1 where this type of exchange during the race is legion thanks to the magic of radio. Certainly, but what is possible behind a steering wheel is not necessarily desirable behind a handlebar.
En MotoGP, drivers are informed in various ways with information on intermediate results, strategies and the like during a race. There is the signage made from the pits, the scoreboard, the monitors around the track and the flag signals to warn of danger or accident sites.
The latter in particular attracted a lot of criticism last season, especially after the introduction of a yellow flag rule More Strict. As a result, officials are looking for ways to further improve communication with drivers during testing sessions and races.
In this sense, the Honda pilot Stefan bradl tested a system radio on behalf of Dorna, with the help of which the race management can directly inform the driver about flag signals, penalties or the like. In the future, the process could also be opened to teams.
Zarco: “more information via the radio can be very disturbing”
More Johann Zarco, who will be a Pramac-Ducati rider in 2021, remains critical: “ I think more information via the radio can be very disturbing », Estimates the Frenchman when asked if more information would be useful during the races. “ It is now possible to share a lot of things on the dashboard » he further specifies.
Drivers not only receive instructions from the team on the screen, such as when to pit or change the mapping, but also flag signals, warnings or penalties from race management.
On the use of communication on the dashboard, zarco admits : " to be honest, I don't use it too often because it's not easy to read everything and as a pilot you have so many other things to do to make a difference. And when you succeed, you are strong enough and you don't have to think too much about strategy to control the race or the situation ».
To zarco, everything should and should not be shared during a race as too much information can also be confusing. In this sense, the possible data on tire temperature leaves him doubtful: “ you don't see that on the dashboard », specifies the French on Motorsport-total. " Of course, sometimes it helps to know how hard you can push or not. But it can also create confusion or destabilize you. Apart from that, you can also feel it through your own experience », underlines mischievously zarco.
