The 2021 MotoGP world champion, Fabio Quartararo, gave a suggestion for improving the quality of the Mandalika Circuit track. The Mandalika 2022 MotoGP pre-season test event has ended on Sunday (13/2/2022) after three full days.
The riders showed great enthusiasm for testing the Mandalika Circuit, the new venue for MotoGP from the 2022 season. They praised the beautiful location and the characteristics of the fast and challenging track
However, the pre-season test at the Mandalika Circuit had problems due to the track conditions which were considered dirty. In fact, these non-ideal conditions caused the pre-season test session on the first day to be stopped so that the marshal could clear the track, before the test resumed.
The main obstacle most heard from the riders is the gravel, which is thrown from the motorbikes of other racers in front. Fabio Quartararo is one of the drivers who voiced this complaint. “I raced behind Franco (Morbidelli) and received a lot of gravel,” said Fabio Quartararo as quoted by GPone. “After a while, my neck started to hurt. Imagine if there were 3-4 riders in front with a lot of laps.”
However, the Monster Energy Yamaha racer also saw other shortcomings, namely the asphalt in some parts of the Mandalika Circuit track. Therefore, he gave suggestions for the manager to also make improvements.
“The problem is, from the first corner to the sixth it looks like the asphalt (track) is breaking,” said the French rider. “I think they have to re-pave the asphalt from the first corner for the race later,” said the racer nicknamed El Diablo.
However, Fabio Quartararo believes that the circuit which has a length of 4.31 km is safe. He also gave special praise to the Mandalika Circuit which he said had a wide track. “Other than that, the track is very safe. I think the track here has the widest run-off area compared to other circuits in the entire racing calendar,” said the rider who finished second in the Mandalika MotoGP pre-season test.
Meanwhile, after the pre-season test incident, the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) cleaned the track regularly. The racing line that drivers have also complained about has become clearer. The track conditions on the second and third days also allowed the racers to go faster.
Regarding the track conditions which were considered dirty, Dorna Sports as the promoter of MotoGP explained that it was fairly normal for the new circuit. The MGPA is now waiting for the results of the final investigation by Dorna Sports and the FIM regarding the dirty condition of the Mandalika Circuit track.
“After this pre-season, even if there is (rework) it is minor, there is no major work on the track,” said MGPA’s Vice President Director, Cahyadi Wanda, quoted from Antara. “Now, we haven’t received the evaluation, we will receive it tomorrow (Sunday), is it true (the cause) due to asphalt or something else,” he explained.
