The World Championship of track motorcycling, or MotoGP, started controversially last weekend in Portugal. The watershed of the season would seem to be the new sprint race, which this season is part of every weekend’s races.
About half of the track laps of the main race are driven in the sprint race. The nine best drivers get points from that, while the best 15 from the actual race get points. The starting order of the sprint race and the long race is determined based on time trials.
– I think the race formats are equally important, even though the sprint is awarded only half the points compared to the long race. Every point is extremely important (in the World Championship fight), having finished his racing career Mika Kallio says.
The competition format introduced this season has received a divided reception. Some of the teams and drivers glow (you switch to another service) sprint intensity, while others warn (you switch to another service)that risk-taking and injuries are emphasized in a short race.
Kallio, who works as a driver coach and test driver for the Austrian manufacturer KTM, is in favor of the new race format and states that from the spectators’ point of view, the sprint is certainly a good addition.
– This work is done for the public. A sprint race is interesting when it happens from start to finish. I believe that the change will be good when we get a few races down.
He says he also understands the position that more risks are taken in a short race.
– Of course, there are always risks, even if you run practices, time trials or a long race. As for the sprint race, it is clear that the starting position is more important and there are fewer laps.
– When the driver knows that it’s a short race and a bit of a bad starting point, you have to put everything into play, look for overtaking positions and take more risks, Kallio sums up.
Several falls and injuries
Last weekend at the season opener in Portugal, a Spaniard drove to the pole Marc Marquez. However, he crashed in the main race and was injured. In the sprint and the main race, the reigning champion, the Italian, drove to victory Francesco Bagnaia.
Three other drivers were also injured over the weekend. Pol Espargaro injured in training, Enea Bastianini in the sprint race and crashed with Marc Marquez Miguel Oliveira in the main race. They will not race this weekend in Argentina.
As many as 56 crashes were recorded in Portugal’s opening race. What happened at the Portimão circuit when four drivers were injured and there were an extraordinary number of crashes?
– A surprising number of events and generally quite a lot of crashes during the weekend. There’s really no reason for that. Perhaps the reason was the eagerness to start the season, when you try to make the most of it – and add a bit of bad luck to it. As a result, a few drivers are now on sick leave, Kallio estimates.
According to him, the current season’s power relations are comparable to the previous season. Among the drivers, Bagnaian and among the teams Ducati are early favorites.
– In the preliminary tests of the season, it seemed that Ducati is strong this season as well. Of course, the differences are not big when we are talking about differences of just a few tenths. All drivers, teams and factories are really close to each other.
Kallio reminds that there are still 20 races left and the conditions and the tracks are destabilizing the balance of power. Understandably, he trusts, for example, the manufacturer he represents, KTM.
In the coming weekend, one of the Austrian manufacturer’s drivers, the injured Pol Espargaro, will be on the sidelines. It is not yet known how long the Spaniard will be out. In Argentina, one of KTM’s test drivers will take the lead.
– Let’s hope that a solution other than seeing Kallio on the track will be found. My own career has largely been dealt with, that there is no such fire to go to the line. I’d rather do test work and then leave, says Kallio.
According to him, the most important thing for a good MotoGP season is that the drivers stay healthy and get points from every race.
– For a long time, I believe that we will go with the same formula (as in the previous season). There will be tight races, but the Ducati front has to be pushed aside.
Drivers’ point standings
Manufacturers’ standings