Photo: motogp.com
In a recent interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport, 9-time World Champion Valentino Rossi spoke about the fact that at the present time, he can't, and he won't make any plans beyond 2016, because the MotoGP series will change a lot.
He mentioned the new tires which will be supplied by Michelin and the stock ECU software for both Factory and Open class bikes, but recent developments in premier class regulations will see even more changes.
The teams will have to discuss and vote in which direction the software will be heading. Currently, several teams are inclined to develop an ECU software based on Apple's iOS while others seem to favor Google's Android platform. Dorna and the other regulating bodies of the MotoGP championship are leaving this matter to the teams, as Magneti Marelli, who supplies the ECU is ready for both directions.
Yamaha and Honda are said to try to convince the rest of the teams to use Android for the bikes, because of the innate customizability of the operating season. However, the Open teams are strongly advocating using an iOS-based software because of the renowned stability all Apple products are famed for.
The organizers of the MotoGP championship are considering adding one or two special events to the yearly calendar starting with 2016, and are not dismissing the possibility of adding both in case consensus is reached in due time.
First on the list is a type of race in which the last rider to pass the finish line each lap is being disqualified. The race ends when only one rider is left on the track. Depending on the size of the 2016 grid, this event will be limited to a number of laps equal to that of the riders. Obviously, the race can be shorter, in case riders will crash out.
As for the starting order, Jeremy Runsmore, chief director of a top-tier racing series, came with the perfect idea. Race Direction will analyze the average qualifying performance of all riders throughout the entire championship and the "last man drops" race will line the bikes in the exact opposite order.
This will give the riders with poor championship standings an extra chance to earn points in the final event of the year. Voices from the front-runners' camps said that such a handicap may bee too severe for the bikes leading in the championship, but Runsmore added that this was the exact point of the extra event.
The concept of the new round is to have a dash of endurance racing infused in MotoGP, with the riders being allowed to enter pit lane for refueling only. The idea is to determine the rider who can race the longest distance on tires of his choice (extra allocation from Michelin).
Riders are not allowed to swap bikes, not even in case of rain. The fears that this could lead to crashes have been addressed by Mr. Runsmore, also.
"MotoGP riders are highly-experienced sportsmen and know both the limitations of their machines and their own. Last Man Standing is not a race of mindless ambitions, but a race aimed at delivering a great show to the attendance. I can and I DO expect that each rider knows when he is too tired or when his tires can no longer sustain racing conditions," Runsmore said.
"This will be a race which will show that there is more to MotoGP than the huge efforts, technological, financial and physical, from the teams. It will show the world that these men are true riders who can race all by themselves. And please do bear in mind, that the race lasts to the limit of the tires...," he concluded.
Factory and Open bikes must choose their bikes' operation system by the start of 2016 season
As we reported on multiple occasions, the ECU software for the factory bikes will be "frozen" after the Dutch TT round at Assen, with the efforts of all teams concentrating to build the unified software.The teams will have to discuss and vote in which direction the software will be heading. Currently, several teams are inclined to develop an ECU software based on Apple's iOS while others seem to favor Google's Android platform. Dorna and the other regulating bodies of the MotoGP championship are leaving this matter to the teams, as Magneti Marelli, who supplies the ECU is ready for both directions.
Yamaha and Honda are said to try to convince the rest of the teams to use Android for the bikes, because of the innate customizability of the operating season. However, the Open teams are strongly advocating using an iOS-based software because of the renowned stability all Apple products are famed for.
Two new rounds to be added in order to make the championship more attractive
Stories about competitiveness and how the MotoGP became a dull experience are not new. It's been years since both those attending the races and those watching them on TV or online have been complaining about the poor show and poor commentators, but things are about to change.The organizers of the MotoGP championship are considering adding one or two special events to the yearly calendar starting with 2016, and are not dismissing the possibility of adding both in case consensus is reached in due time.
First on the list is a type of race in which the last rider to pass the finish line each lap is being disqualified. The race ends when only one rider is left on the track. Depending on the size of the 2016 grid, this event will be limited to a number of laps equal to that of the riders. Obviously, the race can be shorter, in case riders will crash out.
As for the starting order, Jeremy Runsmore, chief director of a top-tier racing series, came with the perfect idea. Race Direction will analyze the average qualifying performance of all riders throughout the entire championship and the "last man drops" race will line the bikes in the exact opposite order.
This will give the riders with poor championship standings an extra chance to earn points in the final event of the year. Voices from the front-runners' camps said that such a handicap may bee too severe for the bikes leading in the championship, but Runsmore added that this was the exact point of the extra event.
Last man standing race envisaged
Finally, debates on the introduction of the second special event will determine whether we will get to see a "Last man standing" race as a special event on the calendar, most likely just after the Assen round.The concept of the new round is to have a dash of endurance racing infused in MotoGP, with the riders being allowed to enter pit lane for refueling only. The idea is to determine the rider who can race the longest distance on tires of his choice (extra allocation from Michelin).
Riders are not allowed to swap bikes, not even in case of rain. The fears that this could lead to crashes have been addressed by Mr. Runsmore, also.
"MotoGP riders are highly-experienced sportsmen and know both the limitations of their machines and their own. Last Man Standing is not a race of mindless ambitions, but a race aimed at delivering a great show to the attendance. I can and I DO expect that each rider knows when he is too tired or when his tires can no longer sustain racing conditions," Runsmore said.
"This will be a race which will show that there is more to MotoGP than the huge efforts, technological, financial and physical, from the teams. It will show the world that these men are true riders who can race all by themselves. And please do bear in mind, that the race lasts to the limit of the tires...," he concluded.
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