It’s time to start thinking about this year’s MotoGp season. While we in Australia are starting to feel that the worst of the COVID19 crisis is over the same cannot be said for overseas with lockdowns and continuing high rates of infection being experienced. SO, can we expect a more “normal” season than last year? I don’t think so. In fact, unless things look up pretty quickly, the chances are that the season will be even more absurd than 2020.
There is no new news on the rider front. Ianonne’s ban brings Salvadori into the Aprilia squad on a full-time basis and Dovi now looks to be certain to be sitting out the season, at least. There was some talk of him going back to the Repsol team until Marquez is fit but that would mean a 3 rider team and the FIM said no. Speaking of Marquez, there is continuing good news on his recovery but no news yet as to when he can start training. He certainly doesn’t look like starting the season so Bradl is going to get some more seat time.
The shock departure of Davide Brivio from the Suzuki team for a gig in Formula 1 leaves Suzuki a bit up the creek and hasn’t dampened the rabid Italian press corp’s continued speculation about a satellite Suzuki team being run by Rossi in 2022. I can’t see Rossi’s massive ego being able to accommodate the idea that he isn’t racing for a factory team. Watch this space on this one.
As far as the calendar is concerned, the season hasn’t even started and it’s been changed already. The February test at Sepang has been cancelled but the FIM have tried to soften the blow by adding two two extra days at the Qatar test in March to replace it,
At the moment the calendar looks like this.
Depending on COVID19 it is entirely possible that the “fly-away” rounds will not go ahead though the Qatar round with all the money that that state has to fling at the project, might still happen.
In any event, at least the season looks to be a bit more “spread out” than last season. One thing IS certain, we’re in for some very late nights again. Oh, well, as the ad used to say, “Warm the set and cool the tinnies.” I can’t wait.