Michael Scott | March 16, 2018
Friday News from 2018 Qatar MotoGP
To aero, or not to aero
There was no consensus on MotoGP aero bodywork at Qatar, where the loss of top speed to downforce wings costs a lot on the long straight. Usual wing fan Jorge Lorenzo left his behind in the pit; while team-mate Dovizioso ran wingless as usual.
Friday News from 2018 Qatar MotoGP
But Pramac Ducati’s pair were different, Petrucci running without, but Jack Miller preferring the full add-on set.
The factory Hondas of Marquez and Pedrosa had their wings on, both of modest size and Pedrosa’s barely there at all; Crutchlow ran his RCV without them.
The factory Yamahas had their looping units fitted, as did both Aprilias.
Under the current regulations, riders are permitted to remove add-on wings, but not to add any further bodywork until they elect to use the right to one fairing upgrade.
Aprilia’s new go
The last of the new engines arrived in time for the opening round, with Aprilia’s long-awaited 2018 upgrade fully in place after missing the final pre-season tests. Both riders Aleix Espargaro and team newby Scott Redding marked the improvement, which put them close to the fast times on the first day, with Espargaro 12th and Redding half-a-second away in 16th. The new engine is intended to fill in the gaps in bottom-end power, to improve acceleration.
Michelin’s third year
Michelin’s third year as MotoGP’s control tyre supplier began with mixed responses to Dorna’s diktat to freeze tyre development and allocation for the full 2018 season.
The decision had been opposed by the tyre company, according to a Michelin spokesman, but had been instituted by Dorna at the request of riders, and was in line with existing freezes on engine and fairing design.
Although development will continue, the French company has said, it will be targeted at 2019; while tyres for this year’s racing have already been predetermined. They will include some changes from last year, already seen at preseason tests.
Rossi remained loyal to the company that played such a big part in his championship heyday: he was the main beneficiary of a policy of delivering weekend-specific tires, made on Saturday and delivered overnight to European tracks for race day.
This year’s approach, he said, was similar to Bridgestone’s – tires with “a very high potential, but not much development in the last seasons, so the tires were always the same”. He continued: “It can be positive and negative, but the tires have reached a good level so I think it is okay to have the same tires for the season.”
Dovizioso was guardedly in agreement. “You have to be a bit lucky because your tire has to fit your bike and your style. But the other side is positive because you have stability and can work more on your bike.”
But Marquez, at the same pre-race conference, took the opposite view. “We have some new tires, and we don’t know how they will feel on other tracks. We need to have some flexibility, so we can try a new thing but maybe come back to the old one.”
Fellow Honda rider Cal Crutchlow, talking to press later, was more outspoken. “It’s a joke,” he said. “I support Michelin, but their tires can decide the championship.” Consistency was the problem: in tests here he had run 26 laps on a set of tires, then fitted a new set and been significantly slower. He stopped for a third set (all supposedly identical spec) and was straight back up to speed.
“I don’t think quality control is what it should be. We are saying that what you are bringing us now. You’ll see races this year ruined because one rider is forced to choose a tire that doesn’t work.
Rossi back for two years more
It’s confirmed. Rossi will go on and on … at least for the next three seasons. The Qatar weekend opened with the news that he had signed another two-year contract renewal with Yamaha, for 2019 and 2020.
While this means he will be racing until he is at least 41, well beyond the usual limit in modern racing, the decision was no surprise. He has been dangling the decision in front of the media since the first of this year’s pre-season tests.
“Two years ago when I signed I thought maybe it would be the last time. To stay competitive and at the top level is always more difficult every year.
“I’d said to Yamaha, if I can survive the winter tests, I will decide.” He had probably done so some weeks before Thursday’s official confirmation.
This will prolong an already extraordinary career, giving him more chances to close the gap on fellow-Italian Giacomo Agostini for the most number of GP wins, currently standing at 122:115; but also to extend his lead in the number of premier-class wins, standing at 89 to Ago’s 68 and Mick Doohan’s 54.
The response of his rivals was respectful. Said Marquez: “It’s impressive the way he can find motivation: It’s not two more years … it’s three.” Dovizioso said: “If you understand a little about Rossi, you are not so surprised. You never know what he will do.” Zarco, whose hopes of a factory Yamaha rider are dashed by the decision, was generous in his praise. “For newcomers like me, he makes a dream come true. We can come to MotoGP, but without Rossi to follow and race it would not be the same.”
Old rival Max Biaggi was somewhat more teasing, taking to social media to point out that it is perfectly possible to win a World Championship aged 41. “I did,” he wrote, referring to his second World Superbike title in 2012.
Zarco in the factory eyes
Rossi’s confirmation makes Johan Zarco even hotter property than he was already, and it was confirmed at Qatar that his options have been extended after a direct approach from the factory Repsol Honda team.
Marquez has already signed to stay with the team for two more years, but Dani Pedrosa’s place may be up for grabs, after 12 years. Zarco would be a prime addition to the team.
This is in addition to the chance to stay with his current Tech 3 squad when the French outfit switches from Yamaha to KTM factory bikes next year; and strong rumors that Yamaha might make a third factory bike available for him in a different satellite team next year.
As ever, Zarco was neither confirming nor denying anything. “It doesn’t change the plan of the team or me. At the moment we don’t know what to decide for next year. The best thing is for me to use the bike to the maximum.”
It is also unclear who will take over the second Yamaha squad from the departing Tech 3, which has been associated with the marque for 20 years, 18 in MotoGP. Current candidates are Marc VDS (the favorites, currently running Honda), and Ducati customer teams Avintia and Aspar.
Top-flight competition
The top MotoGP riders are predicting a fiercely competitive season, after very close and varied times in pre-season testing and in first practice sessions for the opening round in Qatar.
“I think this is the most balanced of all seasons,” said Rossi. “There are eight, or nine, or ten riders who could win races – including maybe Crutchlow and Petrucci.”
Asked who he would pick as his main rivals, title defender and current favorite Marc Marquez said: “It’s impossible to say: last year I was asked for four names, and I did not say Andrea [Dovizioso].” This year would be even less predictable.
Dovi, who challenged until the last race last year, assessed his own chances with typical caution. “The bike has improved, and this year we have a more relaxed situation from my side and the bike side. But we have to wait … the first two races are very important. There are five or six riders who”