Moto GP Thread 2023
Discussion
LukeBrown66 said:
I would guess this is Dorna's idea to try and spice things up ( I have no issue with that as I loath the F1 qualifying format, much preferring an hour when the time was just set, I would actually like to see qualifiers again, it was a real skill.
It also works nicely for the venues as you can guarantee prices will go up on Saturdays now there is a MotoGP race to watch rather than just qualifying, and this will eventually mean Dorna can charge more for races to be held, it's all about money, it s;ways is with Dorna.
We get you like banging the ‘evil Dorna’ drum.It also works nicely for the venues as you can guarantee prices will go up on Saturdays now there is a MotoGP race to watch rather than just qualifying, and this will eventually mean Dorna can charge more for races to be held, it's all about money, it s;ways is with Dorna.
Do you have any idea how many millions they pumped into the teams to keep them all going during Covid, and to retain all the staff, with no racing and when sponsorship agreements were being rewritten left right and centre to reflect the lack of racing?
You’ll notice not one team failed to make it through that period, with the number of smaller set ups in Moto3 and Moto2 that constantly run on a tightrope anyway, that gives you an idea.
It’s not just about money in. This sport is horrifically expensive to make happen for a team, and a lot of the money goes into keeping teams on the grid.
Particularly during global pandemics - but keep banging that drum.
pitlane said:
I was uncertain on the whole sprint race plan, more towards ‘gimmick’ thoughts probably.
If every Saturday carries on like that, I was very wrong! I haven’t seen the whole paddock engaged on a Saturday like that before, the track conditions being so fast helped Q no doubt, but the day seems to have been a big success.
Even the reduced time in the smaller classes has worked as now they spend less time in the pits waiting and more time on circuit.
Interesting day
I was left a little bit annoyed at MM, this habit of drafting others, it must annoy the crap out of the paddock, however, his pass in the sprint race on what it obviously a right handful of a bike left me speechless. In Mir and MM Honda really need to get it right. MM on a Ducati would be one hell of a sight.If every Saturday carries on like that, I was very wrong! I haven’t seen the whole paddock engaged on a Saturday like that before, the track conditions being so fast helped Q no doubt, but the day seems to have been a big success.
Even the reduced time in the smaller classes has worked as now they spend less time in the pits waiting and more time on circuit.
Interesting day
Reduced audiences for TV feed and reduced audiences at races ….
In that scenario the teams and the circuits are suffering the most, not Dorna initially. Herve Poncharal is interesting to listen on this, he agrees a change was needed, but clearly reserving judgement over the change. If the circuits can’t afford to pay, then Dorna starts losing available circuits and revenue. They’ve had to do something.
If the sprint races are that close every GP weekend I really fear for what Sundays will look like. I also think the more short races there are with bonkers close racing on bikes which are so close, diminishes what it is to win a GP. Longer format racing is a different thing.
The short format is exciting racing, 9mths of this to come. We haven’t got 21 races this year as they kept saying in commentary, 21 race weekends yes, 42 races is what we’re looking at. Today we lost 4 riders in crashes, one who won’t race tomorrow. So we’re 2 riders down already.
I fear that Sundays will now be effected by grid penalties as ‘incidents’ from sprint races become penalties for Sunday, add in broken bikes and riders.
I haven’t checked the engine allowances etc. for this year, have these changed or same as last year?
In a season with the highest number of race weekends ever already, adding another 21 races like this to that schedule is too much on the evidence of today for me. Perhaps having some triple headers with a sprint race, say 6 rounds, but every race weekend.
Did I enjoy FP2, Q’s and sprint races, absolutely.
In that scenario the teams and the circuits are suffering the most, not Dorna initially. Herve Poncharal is interesting to listen on this, he agrees a change was needed, but clearly reserving judgement over the change. If the circuits can’t afford to pay, then Dorna starts losing available circuits and revenue. They’ve had to do something.
If the sprint races are that close every GP weekend I really fear for what Sundays will look like. I also think the more short races there are with bonkers close racing on bikes which are so close, diminishes what it is to win a GP. Longer format racing is a different thing.
The short format is exciting racing, 9mths of this to come. We haven’t got 21 races this year as they kept saying in commentary, 21 race weekends yes, 42 races is what we’re looking at. Today we lost 4 riders in crashes, one who won’t race tomorrow. So we’re 2 riders down already.
I fear that Sundays will now be effected by grid penalties as ‘incidents’ from sprint races become penalties for Sunday, add in broken bikes and riders.
I haven’t checked the engine allowances etc. for this year, have these changed or same as last year?
In a season with the highest number of race weekends ever already, adding another 21 races like this to that schedule is too much on the evidence of today for me. Perhaps having some triple headers with a sprint race, say 6 rounds, but every race weekend.
Did I enjoy FP2, Q’s and sprint races, absolutely.
Edited by Johno on Saturday 25th March 21:45
Johno said:
Marquez. There always used to be a long queue of haters here, but I’ve said it countless times anyway, he is sooo good to watch. MotoGP with the 100% version has been diminished, so good to have him back.
No hater but in his hayday didn't like.watchinh him destroy everyone, these days knowing his injury struggles and so on, I'm just in awe of the man. Yazza54 said:
Johno said:
Marquez. There always used to be a long queue of haters here, but I’ve said it countless times anyway, he is sooo good to watch. MotoGP with the 100% version has been diminished, so good to have him back.
No hater but in his hayday didn't like.watchinh him destroy everyone, these days knowing his injury struggles and so on, I'm just in awe of the man. Marquezs Stabilisers said:
Yazza54 said:
I agree, amazing circuit but facilities lacking.
We popped into portimao on the way back, not much there.
Lots going on in praia da Rocha which is where we're staying
What do you mean by facilities lacking - we're thinking of going next year? (Or Misano or IoM)We popped into portimao on the way back, not much there.
Lots going on in praia da Rocha which is where we're staying
Phew I was exhausted after four laps and I was just watching it on the telly. I was thinking it was getting a bit crazy and maybe it was, I dunno, but I believe the riders will sort themselves out as the nuances of a half-length race for half the points play out fully. The ceremony at the end was probably the weirdest thing - I guess we'll find out tonight if that's just for the sprints or for the races too. The change to the tyres supplied for the weekends was interesting and a step in the right direction - more tyres for the riders, less carting around tyres they won't use and less wastage.
Sorry chap but you and I differ hugely about Dorna.
They do a lot of good but as in most cases there is a down side. Ownership of all series is never always a good thing in sport, sorry but that is my experience.
I agree they do a lot of good, they HAD to protect their teams during Covid or their championships were dead, but failing tv audiences and attendance is not helping their viewing figures and particularly venues for THEIR investment which is considerable, they need to read the room, not try and claw all that money back quickly, Silverstone was a ghost town last year, and that will only last so long before Siverstone pull the plug as they ONLY care about making money on big events. The reason is hosting fees. Warranted when it's all good, but the sport is in transition.
Conversely they have done a huge amount for the sport the bad old early 1000cc days took some bottle and standing up to manufacturers, their camera teams are second to none. But at the moment they are being tested, the talisman for GP racing has gone, never to be replaced and to see what they are going to do is interesting. You have to read the room it#s that simple.
They do a lot of good but as in most cases there is a down side. Ownership of all series is never always a good thing in sport, sorry but that is my experience.
I agree they do a lot of good, they HAD to protect their teams during Covid or their championships were dead, but failing tv audiences and attendance is not helping their viewing figures and particularly venues for THEIR investment which is considerable, they need to read the room, not try and claw all that money back quickly, Silverstone was a ghost town last year, and that will only last so long before Siverstone pull the plug as they ONLY care about making money on big events. The reason is hosting fees. Warranted when it's all good, but the sport is in transition.
Conversely they have done a huge amount for the sport the bad old early 1000cc days took some bottle and standing up to manufacturers, their camera teams are second to none. But at the moment they are being tested, the talisman for GP racing has gone, never to be replaced and to see what they are going to do is interesting. You have to read the room it#s that simple.
Edited by LukeBrown66 on Sunday 26th March 11:38
Indeed, quality in Moto 2 aswell great rides from the Brits, poor starts and qualifying though, never works. Great from Salac and Gnzalez aswell, two shocks there for me.
Acosta is proper old school, tease for 90% then hammer down, proper old school stuff but let's be fair he is the class of the field after such a torrid 22.
Acosta is proper old school, tease for 90% then hammer down, proper old school stuff but let's be fair he is the class of the field after such a torrid 22.
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