Repsol Honda warns of MotoGP's 'loss of appeal'

The spread of an article in the account of the sponsor of the Honda team in the queen class of world motorcycling, ‘Box Repsol’, has caused an impact on social networks. Under the suggestive title: ‘Do technological advances affect the show in MotoGP?’, the website of the HRC sponsor reflects on the difficulty of “combining all the factors” that surround the championship, and wonders if the races are “losing attractiveness “.

In the article, which is extensive and not signed, the transformation of the category’s regulations in recent years is reviewed, “as a response to making the competition as fair and balanced as possible”, although some of those cases, such as Regarding the single switchboard, Honda was one of those affected, a setback that is still paying today.

After the introduction of the transformation of the regulation to reach one of the “tightest championships in history”, the text begins to reflect on the balance between technology and entertainment, “always from a positive and constructive point of view”, assures the person in charge of the web to Motorsport.com .

“The implementation of new technologies, such as the massive use of aerodynamic elements, or systems that modify the height of the motorcycle to gain efficiency in acceleration, make overtaking increasingly difficult,” he points out, a conclusion with which coincide, today, all pilots.

The author recalls that, a few weeks ago, the Grand Prix Commission decided to ban front devices that modify the height of motorcycles ( holeshot ) in motion, but warns that “no consideration has been taken about the rear, whose use of a manual device to reduce the height of the bike is also common”, recalling that it will be the MotoGP technical director who determines what is legal and what is not.

A measure with which (Honda) hopes that “part of the combativeness lost in MotoGP” will be returned.

The text then delves into aerodynamics, recalling that they are not a “contemporary invention”, but rather that Honda, thirty years ago, had already designed and tested this type of technology for the 500cc, which without help of any kind turned into physically undrivable motorcycles.

“Now, although the enormous forces generated by the new aerodynamics are still very demanding for the riders’ physique, other technological elements such as better tires, seamless gear, control systems, and the regulation of the height of the bike, makes piloting more bearable”, they point out.

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Finally, the page of the sponsor of Honda calls into question another of the characteristics of the championship: “the extension” of the calendar, calling it a test of regularity, rather than speed.

“The drivers must have the ability to perform for more than eight months (…) a very long time for high competition. The championship has become a regular test and it is almost more important not to make mistakes (…) than the little advantage that a victory gives against a second or third place”, he points out, wielding that point as another reason for the loss of the show.

“That’s why the drivers are somewhat more conservative, because a bad result is sometimes very difficult to overcome, and the points system grants very little advantage for winning a race,” claims the text, which you can read in full here.

Pol Espargaro, Repsol Honda Team

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Photo by: Honda Racing

Pol Espargaro, Repsol Honda Team

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Photo by: Dorna

Pol EspargarÓ, Repsol Honda Team