Cycle News

VOL. 51 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 9, 2014 P81 two-stroke predecessor) normal situation would not have been able to show his potential. "So Moto3 now is the same, even if maybe the machines are more expensive than what we ex- pected. Still, the engines are the same for everybody and you can- not have a big gap between the team. I think this is very positive. For MotoGP, we will see. In terms of cost reduction, I think the new rules for 2016, honestly speak- ing, I don't think we will reduce a lot of the cost." For Suppo this dream of reduc- ing costs in competition boiled down to the difference between running costs and R&D costs, and that reality could benefit from the rules, the latter not. "To reduce the R&D cost is in my opinion, almost impossible," Suppo said. "Because Fillipo Preziosi taught me years ago that the cost is not related to the rule. It is more related to the interest in the situation. "Formula 1 is a good example. When they stopped doing test- ing, they started developing the simulator, and now I think they spend crazy money on the sim- ulator. This is normal. If you are in a competition and you want to win and you cut this and can- not do this [per mandates], then you think about something else, because that's competition. So I think to speak about competition and the reduction of costs is kind of a mistake. "While if you speak about re- ducing the running cost of the team and give the team a more balanced technical support on these machines, this is some- thing that we are reaching." Ciabatti echoed both points that there were many positive aspects to the rule changes, namely the fact that the cost for an OEM to run satellite bikes being more manageable for the satellite teams was a move in the right direction, and the influx of interest from Suzuki and Aprilia joining the championship, with KTM on the horizon, as a job well done for Dorna. But as Livio pointed out, the reality was that if you wanted to play the game, you had to put some money down on the table. "Once you take part in a cham- pionship if you want to win—and this is something we all have—you need to invest," Ciabatti said. "So to keep the costs under control on that side is more complicated." Ciabatti, however, looked to the new software rule as a way to have >>GETTING LOGISTICAL The other big change for 2016 is the departure of Bridgestone as the spec tire of the series and the move to Michelin and 17-inch wheels. Testing has already begun, but a lot more is needed if Michelin and the teams are to be prepared for that switch. At this stage there was not a whole lot to say about the switch except that the bosses felt confident in Michelin's experience with MotoGP. But being bosses, they have to deal with another less glamorous side of racing—logis- tics. "That's quite a logistics burden ac- tually on the teams, because we have to set up many tests, not only with the test rider, but also with the GP riders," Jarvis said about preparing for the transition. "Believe me that's been quite a headache to look at the calendar, the schedule: Where to place our staff? Do we have extra staff for testing or not? Can we use a team staff? "The arrival of Mi- chelin is very welcome; Bridgestone, unfortu- nately, will be leaving. But the process to be ready is quite…" Suppo interjected: "Complex." The opinion therefore amongst the three was unanimous—reduce the num- ber of tests. As such, the triumvirate agreed to share something else—the testing burden. "We found an agreement between the three of us in order to share the tests, so that not all three manufac- turers will always be present on the same tests on Mondays," Ciabatti said. "Because it would be 15 tests on 15 Mondays after the GPs. It's complex in terms of logistics, in terms of material, in terms of costs, obviously. But we will do whatever's needed and we're sure that the experience of Michelin will bring us to a very positive start of the new year of 17-inch wheels and Michelin tires in 2016." A changing of the guard in 2016 as Michelin steps in as the spec tire manufacturer for MotoGP.

• Cover