MotoGP could lose one of its historical emblems if this proposal goes ahead. On the table, and it is not one of the changes carried out by Liberty Media but by the teams themselves, is the possibility that having two motorcycles in the box per rider will be a thing of the past. As reported by Oriol Puigdemont through Motorsport.com. Right now a possible change in regulations is being negotiated that would mean a substantial change in the category.
It must be remembered that currently MotoGP is the only category of the Motorcycle World Championship that has two simultaneous motorcycles in the box. It is one of the characteristics that have been in place for decades, which was also present in other categories, but which in the premier category has remained unchanged.
And not only unchanged, but also strengthened and part of the show since the flag-to-flag was introduced in the regulations. From that moment on, in case of rain, the race was no longer stopped, but rather a change of motorcycle was authorized.
So it is not only a change that would mean varying the focus of the weekend with a single line of work and without a safety net in case of a minor fall, but it would imply that MotoGP would lose part of the essence that it currently has.
Is finishing the two bikes in the box a real proposal or a measure of pressure?
The striking thing is that, as we mentioned, this possibility does not come from Liberty Media but from the teams that seek to reduce costs. But not material costs of the motorcycles themselves, because there would be a reserve motorcycle prepared to compete as happens in WSBK, but in terms of the technical staff necessary to have both motorcycles operational at the same time.
As for that motorcycle on the truck, it is currently happening as we said in the World Superbike Championship, where after a serious fall that affects important components such as the chassis, some experts from the championship allow the motorcycle to be changed. This means that, in reality, in the most complicated falls and verification in between, no pilot would be left without racing.
The striking thing about this proposal is that it comes at a time when the manufacturers themselves are negotiating their economic future in MotoGP and, therefore, who knows if it is part of a strategy to pressure the promoters by arguing the economic issue or a firm decision with solid arguments.
Because for practical purposes and without more data, it is difficult to quantify the savings that it would mean in that coaching staff that could decrease and the real impact in percentage on the budget of each manufacturer or team that it would have. Also in what way would it have an impact, increasing the cost on other items if you want, for example, to test the efficiency of a certain component.
