Jorge Lorenzo: “Worried about riders’ health, we must limit really scary bikes”

[weeksy]

Jorge Lorenzo has called for “really scary” MotoGP bikes to be limited, to safeguard the health of the riders.

The 2023 MotoGP season has been littered with crashes and injuries, with the new format of sprint races introducing an extra layer of chaos.

But three-time premier class champion Lorenzo also sees problems with the aerodynamics.

“I like the sprint but I speak as a spectator,” he told GPOne. “I understand the riders, the risk doubles or triples.

“The bikes are strong with the aerodynamics. I am worried about the health of the riders. But as a spectator, I like it.

“We’re getting to a point where MotoGP bikes are really scary.

“They have 300hp and go over 370km/h. If we don’t [pause], in a few years they will hit 400km/h.

“I think we have to limit the power of these bikes in some way.

“I would limit the aerodynamics as much as possible, maybe I would eliminate it.”

Fellow legend Casey Stoner recently told The Race: “You’ve got to take the manufacturers’ perspective, but what they’re not doing right now is taking in the riders’ perspective.

“The show, the danger, the more accidents we’re seeing these days? It’s ridiculous.

“Winglets, gone. Ride height devices, gone. Anti-wheelie, gone. Traction control cut to a safety level and nothing more. Half this shit needs to go.”

[Skub]

George and Casey have a point,but it's very difficult to put the cat of technology back in the bag.

[Yorick]

I agree with banning ride height devices and traction control.

[weeksy]

George and Casey have a point,but it's very difficult to put the cat of technology back in the bag.

They managed it in BSB, it used to be there and then was (mostly, sorta) removed... There doesn't seem to be more crashes ?

[MrLongbeard]

As a spectator I agree with ditching the aero wings, fins and stick on do dads, they just look stupid

[Skub]

George and Casey have a point,but it's very difficult to put the cat of technology back in the bag.

They managed it in BSB, it used to be there and then was (mostly, sorta) removed... There doesn't seem to be more crashes ?

Maybe I'm wrong,but the manufacturers view Motogp as the showcase for their skills as a company. Prototypes are the pinnacle of two wheeled motorsport and it's about much more than just a spectator sport. To be a prototype and not push the boundaries of tech would be a contradiction. So to limit engineering imagination would make racing prototype pointless.

It's difficult one.

[cheb]

Why not a smaller engine size? I don't follow racing so this might not be feasible or desirable.

[Yorick]

George and Casey have a point,but it's very difficult to put the cat of technology back in the bag.

They managed it in BSB, it used to be there and then was (mostly, sorta) removed... There doesn't seem to be more crashes ?

Maybe I'm wrong,but the manufacturers view Motogp as the showcase for their skills as a company. Prototypes are the pinnacle of two wheeled motorsport and it's about much more than just a spectator sport. To be a prototype and not push the boundaries of tech would be a contradiction. So to limit engineering imagination would make racing prototype pointless.

It's difficult one.

Maybe, but can't see ride height adjusters on road bikes.

[Bigyin]

George and Casey have a point,but it's very difficult to put the cat of technology back in the bag.

They managed it in BSB, it used to be there and then was (mostly, sorta) removed... There doesn't seem to be more crashes ?

Maybe I'm wrong,but the manufacturers view Motogp as the showcase for their skills as a company. Prototypes are the pinnacle of two wheeled motorsport and it's about much more than just a spectator sport. To be a prototype and not push the boundaries of tech would be a contradiction. So to limit engineering imagination would make racing prototype pointless.

It's difficult one.

F1 managed it back in the day with ground effect skirts as the corner speeds were getting beyond the tyre technology. It slowed things down for a bit but then the engineers found other ways to go faster as they always do. If you take all the aero off the MotoGp bikes they will find other more subtle ways rather than big wings as they also limited the size of wings. F1 got rid of side skirts and the engineers designed undertrays to funnel air instead ....its a constant challenge to find ways within the rules and if that doesnt work look outside the rules at something that isnt specifically banned yet

[ChrisW]

Yes it's a prototype class, yes, but it's not completely open. If innovation by the teams leads to danger for the riders - or makes the racing less popular - then sure they should change the regs to fix it.

I watched or listened to an interview with Simon Crafar the other day after he'd ridden a current bike at Mugello - quite interesting. I'll try and find it.

[Skub]

Why not a smaller engine size? I don't follow racing so this might not be feasible or desirable.

They tried that for a while a few years ago. There was an 800cc limit to slow the bikes,but of course the engineers just made the smaller engine faster.

[ChrisW]

Here it is:

[mangocrazy]

It's a prototype class and whatever restrictions you place on the manufacturers, clever engineers will find a way to defeat or subvert them. Having said that, I agree with Jorge and Casey, the level of go-faster bits (mainly aero, but also TC and ride height devices) need to be either severely restricted or banned wholesale. First in line would be ride height devices - everyone has them so a blanket ban on them would not impact any one manufacturer disproportionately. Ideally I'd see all aero devices banned, but then you'd get aero by stealth as manufacturers incorporated them in non-bodywork elements. So some kind of size restriction needs to be enforced, so as to remove the most offensive sticky-out bits (technical term).

This might also have the unintended consequence of allowing Honda and Yamaha to catch back up, as aero does seem to be the main differentiator these days. TC could be reined in by limiting the power and the number of inputs to the ECU and also clamping down on secondary 'pre-processor' devices that feed the main ECU. I'm not sure if these are actually A Thing or not, but if they aren't I bet they will be soon enough.

I know the 800cc era wasn't particularly loved by most of the teams or riders, but I also think that some major reduction in capacity will be needed before soon, and would ideally be implemented at the same time as a ban/curtailment of ride height and aero devices.

Basically it's an arms race and the manufacturers have stolen a march on the legislators, which needs to be reversed.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Yes it's a prototype class, yes, but it's not completely open. If innovation by the teams leads to danger for the riders - or makes the racing less popular - then sure they should change the regs to fix it.

F1 is pretty much the archetypal prototype class isn't it, but they're always tinkering with the cars to rein in the speed. They've plateaued in lap time, give or take, over the last couple of decades. Some of the tracks have F1 records ~20 years old.

Obvious things to do are just smaller engines, skinnier tyres, smaller brakes etc. etc. Pretty much what you'd think. Anyone else remember the grooved tyre years in F1? Or even just smaller fuel tanks, that's a pretty firm way to slow everyone down!

[ChrisW]

Yes it's a prototype class, yes, but it's not completely open. If innovation by the teams leads to danger for the riders - or makes the racing less popular - then sure they should change the regs to fix it.

F1 is pretty much the archetypal prototype class isn't it, but they're always tinkering with the cars to rein in the speed. They've plateaued in lap time, give or take, over the last couple of decades. Some of the tracks have F1 records ~20 years old.

Obvious things to do are just smaller engines, skinnier tyres, smaller brakes etc. etc. Pretty much what you'd think. Anyone else remember the grooved tyre years in F1? Or even just smaller fuel tanks, that's a pretty firm way to slow everyone down!

Indeed - it's part of the fun! Watching the teams work out new solutions when new rules are implemented.

[Couchy]

Nah I don’t want to see any restriction on the tech or aero it’s just progress. Be better to limit how much fuel is used for a race

[Beancounter]

I thought traction control made a bike safer to ride and less likely to crash? Same with anti-wheelie. I don't watch racing so happy to be educated.

[weeksy]

I thought traction control made a bike safer to ride and less likely to crash? Same with anti-wheelie. I don't watch racing so happy to be educated.

Yes of course, but they're still coming in there at 240mph now instead of what used to be 200. The theory being, if you remove these things, the riders will have to slow themselves.

[Skub]

Nah I don’t want to see any restriction on the tech or aero it’s just progress. Be better to limit how much fuel is used for a race

That's a pretty good idea. The techs will need to improve mpg to maintain performance. That could be a positive for us all too in the sunset years of the ICE.

[Yorick]

Nah I don’t want to see any restriction on the tech or aero it’s just progress. Be better to limit how much fuel is used for a race

That's a pretty good idea. The techs will need to improve mpg to maintain performance. That could be a positive for us all too in the sunset years of the ICE.

There's been a fuel limit for donkey's years.
Hence the fuel maps.