Jonathan Rea, the six-time WSBK World Champion, questions the new regulations imposing a maximum of ten days of testing during the off-season. An initiative driven by the good intention of saving money. But with the cancellation due to terrible weather of the two days of testing in Jerez this week, it turns out that quite the opposite happened. The teams traveled for nothing, which is obviously a loss for everyone...
There are savings that are costly and this is precisely what seems to have been observed by the WSBK this week at Jerez. The teams drove to the Spanish track which was then exposed to the elements. As a result, no one ventured onto the track, for fear of wasting a precious day of testing. Because only ten are authorized before the start of hostilities.
Kawasaki, Ducati et Honda, as well as certain private teams therefore remained with their mouths in the water, literally and figuratively. The drivers spent the two days of testing in Andalusia in their pits. A situation that was not to the taste of Jonathan Rhea who was annoyed by the new offseason rule. His team Kawasaki had organized the private test. “ The team, drivers, employees and our technical partners have gone to great lengths to be there during this strange time », he notes.
Rea: “It’s a huge waste of money”
« But that's how it is. With the new rules, we can only test ten days from the end of last season to the end of this year. It's a huge waste of money. We are already here. Rules are the only reason we don't fly », Complains the Northern Irishman.
The new testing limit aims to reduce costs. But in the case of the test of Jerez, only the expenses for tires, fuel and other consumables were saved, because the teams were already on site with their trucks. Kawasaki already decided to try again in a week.
The wet laps would not have been productive, according to Sale. " The track was not in perfect condition. This is why we made the decision very early so that everyone could pack their bags in peace and take their flight home to reunite with their families. " said the Kawasaki official. On Motorsport-total.
