EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS
F1 managing director willing to work together with MotoGP
LONDON of MotoGP rights holders Dorna, had discussed “areas of cooperation and how we can learn from what each of us does” at last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.
On a basic level, that means working to limit a clash of calendars.
The first two rounds of this year’s Formula One and MotoGP championships were on the same weekends, and six more will clash later in the year.
They include MotoGP’s final round in Valencia on Nov 12, the same day as Formula One’s with some traffic. So, it is information I will sleep on and be a better oval driver tomorrow.”
Alonso produced the 24th best effort of the 33 cars on the track on Tuesday with a top speed of 353.64kmph.
As part of the Andretti Autosport stable that will field six Brazilian Grand Prix — both titledeciders in the past.
Brawn said such clashes were “not smart.”
“We’re not too proud to consult with other championships and work out the best way forward,” he said, speaking in Formula One Management’s new paddock hospitality at the Circuit de Catalunya.
“It’s difficult to juggle dates, and you can’t always achieve what you want, but at least we’re having a dialogue to try and work it out.”
There were other areas where Formula One could learn lessons, he added.
“I like the meritocracy that they have between Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP. I like the progression that they have.
“I think it’s interesting looking at the commercial side, the way they structure the teams and the deals and the way it works for the customer teams. I think it’s an interesting element.”
He said the way in which MotoGP’s junior series formed part of the same race weekend was also “a great example of where we should be“, with talent rising to the top and a clear career progression cars for the race, Alonso is benefiting from the experience of his teammates that include last year’s winner Alexander Rossi and 2014 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay.
“I’m on the best team for that; we are six cars and we were running together,” explained Alonso. that fans could easily follow.
Formula One drivers enter the sport from various series and some are chosen by cashstrapped teams more for their financial contribution than talent alone.
“We should have the 22 or 24 best drivers in the world in Formula One,” said Brawn. “There are commercial considerations... which means we don’t always achieve that.
“It’s a complex problem because you have to put the teams in a position where they don’t have to make those commercial decisions, they just make the decision based on the strongest drivers they can find.”
A fairer distribution of revenues among teams, deciding what kind of future engine the sport should have and building cars that allow closer racing are all big long-term items in Brawn’s in-tray.
None offer quick solutions, with existing team contracts running to 2020, and the immediate emphasis is putting the people in place to analyse and assess and come up with substantial arguments. “My teammates were amazing helping me.
“I was learning every lap, when I follow them, learning what they do, how they attack the next corner or the next lap, how they prepare the overtaking, so, it was very useful and a very productive day.”
Brawn said he was “reasonably happy” with progress.
“There’s not going to be a revolution in Formula One where suddenly we come up with a big change and everything gets better. It’s going to be a constant process,” he said.
“Until we get the capacity to really understand the direction the sport should change to, we’re not going to change any of the big things. It’s just too risky.”
There has been talk about shortening grands prix, and maybe adding a sprint on the Saturday, but Brawn showed no enthusiasm for that.
“I like the heritage of a race. I think an hour 40, an hour 45 is a great period for a race. And that’s traditionally what we’ve had. I think it’s a good time period,” he said.
“Some people say let’s have shorter races because the public’s attention span is shorter these days. Well, with modern technology you can package the sport in whichever way people want to watch it.
“What we have to do is develop the sport so there is as much entertainment as possible during that period.” Reuters
Powerhouse Penske Racing dominated Day Two with Australian Will Power at the top of timing charts, posting the fastest lap of 359.44kmph followed by teammate Brazilian Helio Castroneves, who is chasing a record equalling fourth Indy 500 win. Reuters