– The Catalonia Grand Prix could be a turning point for MotoGP. Sunday in Barcelona sent very clear warning signals that must not be ignored: two red flags, three starts, two riders in hospital.
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There are also sporting and regulatory aspects that should at least be newly discussed. Massimo Rivola is not only the motorsport director of Aprilia but currently also the chairman of the manufacturers’ association MSMA.
In this responsibility, the Italian speaks clearly to Sky Italy. Rivola questions, for example, why Pedro Acosta was allowed to participate in the restart.
The electronic defect on his KTM triggered the serious accident of Alex Marquez. In fact, Acosta was out, because without propulsion he only managed to get back to the pits with the help of other riders.
“In my opinion, it is not only about the rule regarding the red flag and the possibility of a restart, but also about a sporting aspect,” said Rivola. “I have nothing against Pedro, but I think some things need to be revised.”
“This is a topic that I put on the table together with the sporting aspect. If Acosta had not been allowed to restart, no one would have lost anything: it would have been a normal race progression.”
“If the red flag had come one lap after Pedro’s engine problem, he would not have been able to restart because the regulations stipulate that the rider must return to the pits with the motorcycle.”
“So letting him back on the starting grid, although he effectively caused the red flag, albeit unintentionally, was, in my opinion, not correct,” Rivola states.
“I think some points in the regulations need to be formulated more clearly. It would be fairer not to let him restart. Of course, that might seem like a harsh penalty, but it is not. We need to talk about it.”
“The analysis is more general: I believe that a rider who causes a red flag for any reason, even if it was not his fault, for example due to a technical problem, should not be allowed to restart afterwards.”
Three starts: Riders are like “lions”
The starts were also discussed in Barcelona. After an accident had already occurred in the sprint, a serious accident with Johann Zarco happened at the first restart in the Grand Prix.
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Already after the sprint, there was discussion that the first corner in Barcelona is tricky. Firstly, because it is relatively tight, and secondly, because the motorcycles already approach the braking point at very high speed at the start.
Among other things, it was discussed whether the starting line could be moved closer to the first corner so that the motorcycles reach the first braking point at a lower speed at the start.
“But there are tracks where it is even further. I am thinking, for example, of Mugello,” Rivola draws a comparison. “In my opinion, it depends on the approach we choose.”
“After an accident like Alex’s and a red flag, I would expect somewhat more cautious riders at a restart in this form. My appeal is to have stricter race control, but for the good of the riders.”
“These are exceptional athletes who risk their lives in every corner. That is often forgotten. More value should be placed on what they achieve. These riders are like lions in a cage, and when you let them loose, they go to the limit.”
But can these “lions” be kept in check when the visor is down and adrenaline is flowing? “Attention, I am not criticizing race control, because that has always been the chosen approach, also consciously, in the interest of spectacle,” says Rivola.
“Nevertheless, we should all put ourselves in a position to think about it. Apart from Pedro’s technical problem and what happened with Alex, certain situations will be inevitable.”
“Some accidents arise from the urge to get forward immediately because these riders are like lions in a cage: when you let them start, they drive and attack the other riders in a sporting sense.”
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The events in Barcelona resonate far beyond the race weekend. The discussion about rules, restarts, and safety is open and will continue to occupy those responsible.
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