Let's talk MotoGP: What's sorely missing from this season

During this season, “Parlons MotoGP” was interested in many subjects. Some more important than others, but today, time for a little nostalgia. Indeed, I often think back, with tenderness, to the intensity of the seasons hosted by Lorenzo, Rossi, Pedrosa, Stoner and Márquez. Today, we no longer have tension at the press conference, and that is perhaps a problem. Analysis.

 

An incredible situation 10 years ago

 

After a very hot Thai Grand Prix, Jorge Martín, as the big winner, exults. The Spaniard has just achieved a new XXL performance, worthy of the greatest. He has just beaten, on the line, Brad Binder and Pecco Bagnaia, two of his fiercest opponents. Incidentally, he has the official Ducati rider behind him even though he is “only” a satellite. Then, going to the famous cooldown room to watch the best moments of the race, everyone congratulates each other and laughs. Like friends after a go-kart race on Sunday afternoon.

We must realize what we are experiencing; rare were the more tense seasons in the 21st century, and never was the factory rider, spearhead of the best brand in MotoGP, threatened by an outsider employed by a client. THE momentum changed sides numerous times, but there was never any psychological warfare.

 

 

The situation is all the more incredible as Jorge Martín, in particular, has one of the most marked characters on the grid ; he has a beautiful face, badboy, he is fast, explosive, sharp when overtaking and still in the race for the title with three rounds remaining. He would have every right to taunt Pecco Bagnaia. And yet, no, he laughs after the race with the Italian, or with all those who succeed one another on the podiums. Perhaps he will regret it, but I don't want to burden him; everyone does the same. It's almost incomprehensible because similar seasons may never happen again, no matter how young the actors are.

It's completely intrinsic to this generation of drivers. You could never have made Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo laugh together after a race when they didn't even hate each other. However, the “Martinator” and the others are also great competitors, there is no doubt at the highest world level. Just, their characters are different.

 

 

It can not be helped

 

Today, there are no more rivalries in Grands Prix, that's how it is, we have to accept it. Often I see the following argument: “We must take advantage of this period because it allows us to concentrate on the track only, the discipline is not undermined by clashes”. So what ? I want to see these clashes. These are the events that create memories, nostalgia.

I'm publishing this article ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix for good reason; Already eight years ago, we witnessed the greatest race in MotoGP history, that famous clash between Marc Márquez and Valentino Rossi. Why wouldn't I love this epic episode? It was fantastic, just like Suzuka 1989 and 1990 in Formula 1. Of course I want to experience it again, and there's nothing wrong with that. Entertainment has been an integral part of motor sports since their popularization in the 1920s. Even back then, we loved rivalries, much more exacerbated than now. We must stop making ourselves believe that the essence of the sport is not respected when two drivers throw barbs at each other in the press or fight ardently on the track, because it is quite the opposite. Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi would confirm this to you.

 

 

The problem was also raised by Pedro Acosta recently. He understood. “People want rivalries like back then, they don’t want to see all the drivers getting along wonderfully” he declared in a content MotoGP shared on Instagram. But what can we do about it? We cannot force Jorge Martín to hate Pecco Bagnaia, any more than we can push him to toughen up a little. All we have to do is notice the absence of soul in this season of infinite potential. The thinness of the mark it will leave in history, especially if the Ducati official wins.

Let's hope that one day, Pedro Acosta, or someone else, will dare to relaunch psychological warfare, a totally legal weapon but too often criticized in the age of smoothed characters. To find out why this could be a long-term problem, or more broadly find a less sentimental analysis on this subject, click here.

What do you think of the lack of rivalry this season? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport