Although his name is not as famous as Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez, Karel Abraham is still known as a MotoGP racer. Even his work in the highest class is also not a moment. It was proven when he had moved to World Superbike, he returned to the MotoGP class and it was easy to get a team.
During his career, the Czech racer did not have the opportunity to defend a big team like Repsol Honda, Yamaha Factory, let alone Ducati Corse. Even to strengthen the main satellite team in each manufacturer also never.
Indeed, Karel can be said to have enough experience in testing quality motorcycles, such as the Ducati which is known to be fast on a straight track. However, there he never got a motorcycle with the same specifications as the manufacturer’s team. Even the motorcycles used are usually on the third level as used with Aspar Ducati. This also happened when he strengthened Reale Avintia Racing.
Uniquely, the motor livery used is always identical to the white-blue color, such as when strengthening Cardion AB Motor Racing. But in terms of performance on the track, Karel has never been able to show significant resistance with other racers.
There are several factors that can underlie this. First, the motor used usually uses the old specifications. Can be a year or two years behind the manufacturer’s motor specifications. So, the speed of this motorbike does not talk much. Unless there are motorbikes and other racers who are still having trouble with their bikes, Karel and Avintia can overtake them.
The second factor, there are indications that the team defended does not have high targets. They just want to participate without trying to get something. Thus, the nicks of Karel and the team he defended were often not optimal.
The third factor is actually an indication that this is what makes the first and second factors can occur. Namely privilege. The privilege that was seen occurred to Karel Abraham because he was the son of a wealthy businessman and owner of the Czech Brno circuit. As a result, the team did not have great motivation to encourage Karel to show upgrading the quality of his racing.
This privilege makes Karel like in a comfort zone. There is no pressure, especially when talking about money. Who is willing to pay for a seat in the paddock if the aim of the drivers now is to prove quality on the track and look for income? That is what distinguishes Karel and makes it always safe when every team that competes in MotoGP must be noisy in pairs of drivers. While his team or he is always able to guarantee one place and does not matter the team and what the specifications of the bike.
This situation is actually also thought to have happened to Tito Rabat. His teammate is also a pay rider in MotoGP besides himself. He can get a seat in Avintia also can not be separated from the power of privilege.
Although initially defending Honda’s third team (Marc VDS), Rabat finally decided to team up with Karel at Avintia Racing. However, his fate looks better. It was proven that he was still defended by his team when Karel had to be kicked out.
Karel’s ouster in Avintia made him sure to be absent in MotoGP 2020. However, his decision was quite surprising. Because, he chose to retire. Karel’s retirement and the empty one seat in Avintia make Johann Zarco’s opportunity to move closer wide open.
In fact, Zarco was mentioned as a factor that made Karel kicked out of his team and the team wanted to accept the French driver. Then, can the hegemony of privilege also end?
As has been reviewed in Mojok.co (the link is at the end of the article), that we can also have the privilege and he can come at any time. Because this privilege has many considerations. First, it could be because of our parents’ background. Second, we have money. Third, we have relations in the circle. Fourth, we do have quality.
When we have one or almost all, the privilege will come to us. Privilege can also be requested or deleted (has an expiration date). In accordance with the circumstances at that time. Including the MotoGP and Karel Abraham.
Karel Abraham’s privilege could have been considered a team and Dorna – who reportedly intervened – was over. His position must be replaced by other drivers who are fresher and still thirsty for competition on the track. The answer also leads to Johann Zarco.
This driver who then has the privilege. It is not entirely due to wealth like the one in Karel Abraham. Zarco put more effort into offering quality. Win Moto2 twice and having won the rookie of the year with Yamaha Tech 3 is not an arbitrary achievement.
Francesco Bagnaia, Andrea Iannone, and other drivers had difficulty doing the same thing. So, it is not so surprising if Avintia and Dorna dare to get rid of Karel Abrahan who actually has “contributed” to MotoGP and that is for Zarco’s survival in the highest class.
Zarco’s current whereabouts are indeed difficult to reckon with. Especially when he was unable to adapt to the KTM manufacturing team and did not have the opportunity to fill seats at Honda (Repsol and LCR). So the only way is to try out the Ducati motorbike and that is with Avintia.
Then, whether the quality of Zarco will be able to speak again in MotoGP 2020? We will see later. Because, the most important thing is we see MotoGP 2020 no longer filled by two racers who have the privilege because of money. The opening of Avintia and the possibility of Zarco’s entry into the team will make MotoGP still look able to present quality on the track, and that is exactly what is sought.
ASL
