Between the five of them, they go well beyond the century of journalism devoted to Grands Prix and they came together for the first time to take stock in video of all the questions posed by the small world of MotoGP.
The master of debates, Franco Bobbiese, who usually officiates in the Italian show Paddock TV, is in fact surrounded by the former pilot and excellent journalist Matt Oxley (MotorsportMagazine.com, UK), from Michelle Turco (Moto Revue, France), from Manuel Pecino (PecinoGP.com, Spain) and John Zamagni (Moto.it, Italy).
We offer the following summary, for those who have a little difficulty with the language of Shakespeare…
After reviewing the ultimately quite similar consequences of the pandemic in the different countries of origin of the journalists present, they logically arrive at the first question which interests everyone: “how will the MotoGP championship take place? »
Mat Oxley oscillates between a start in August and a blank championship. Referring to the statements of Pit Beirer who plans races behind closed doors and reduced teams, the British journalist considers that this is the only possible solution.
Manuel Pecino is also positive, specifying that the races will undoubtedly take place in Europe for cost reasons, while Michel Turco points out that this would not correspond to the prestige of MotoGP, in particular for KTM which has invested so far big means. The French journalist, not very optimistic, envisages races perhaps possible from the months of September and October, and is joined in this by Giovanni Zamagni who also points out that to do Grands Prix, you also need track marshals, cameramen and a whole technical staff, which is what Mat Oxley responds that four Grands Prix in Spain could form the backbone of the championship, depending only on the authorization of a single government of a country which provides both the marshals, the cameramen and a large number of staff and pilots.
Manuel Pecino points out that the situations of Spain, Italy and France, even Portugal, being quite similar, we could envisage a championship taking place in these three countries if the different governments found an agreement.
Giovanni Zamagni then points out that continental Italians are currently not allowed to go to Sardinia, because it is much less affected by the virus than the boot, and therefore it is not a foregone conclusion. Michel Turco plus silk by also raising the problem of all the staff of the Japanese manufacturers involved.
Asked about his discussions with Hervé Poncharal, the president of IRTA, the French journalist indicated that he was initially worried about the situation but that it had improved since Dorna's financial intervention in favor of teams.
Manuel Pecino then reports that Carmelo Ezpeleta met with the heads of the Canadian pension fund Bridgepoint (main shareholder of Dorna Sports) after Qatar, and that MotoGP managers would be ready to lose 80 million this year by helping Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP teams to save the Grands Prix. Mat Oxley then points out that the teams are companies which can also be helped by their respective governments, which is also the case in France. According to Giovanni Zalagni, the situation is much less clear in Italy…
We then come to the situation of the manufacturers,
much more delicate regarding the European Ducati, Aprilia and KTM than the Japanese Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki, the latter being of a much larger size and operating vigorously in a rapidly developing Asian market with a much wider range.
Manuel Pecino indicates that Yamaha only makes 11% of its profit in Europe and recalls that Honda sells 17 million two-wheelers each year compared to 55 for Ducati.
Furthermore, he informs that Ducati has canceled all its contracts with external companies and that all employees, including those in the competition department “and apparently also the pilots will see their income reduced. This is an emergency situation and, according to my information, this is what was said. » He also indicates that the boss of KTM, Stefan Pierer, reportedly declared that he would not return with the same financial means as those which have been invested so far. As for the news from Aprilia, it would be even more worrying…
The question was then asked as to what would happen to the contracts signed with the MotoGP riders for the year 2020. Giovanni Zamagni reports that he had contacts with the managers of the Ducati teams (Paolo Ciabatti and Francesco Guidotti), Aprilia ( Romano Albesiano and Massimo Rivola), Suzuki (Davide Brivio) and Yamaha (Maio Meregalli), i.e. the teams based in Italy, and that everyone told him it was too early to talk about pilot contracts because everyone was waiting for a decision regarding the championship.
Michel Turco then points out that three drivers have already signed for 2021, including Marc Márquez who signed for four years, and questions whether or not he will receive the sum for which he signed.The case of Fabio Quartararo also appeals to him since the young Frenchman signed a moderate contract for 2021 in exchange for a factory motorcycle for 2020. A motorcycle that he will use much less than expected this year. Each situation is therefore different and Manuel Pecino points out that on the one hand it would make little sense for a team to oppose financially the drivers it will have next year and that on the other hand Honda indicates in its contracts be able to use the image of its pilots, and therefore that the work of the latter is not limited to piloting their motorcycle.
Finally, it was noted that young confined drivers were spinning like wild animals in cages at home while waiting for races, but that this could have consequences. different consequences for older drivers, such as Valentino Rossi. On this point, Giovanni Zamagni believes Italian champion will ride next year.
The speakers of this first round table left and arranged to meet again next week.
