GasGas KTM rider Pedro Acosta shares that he “doesn’t really like” the idea of MotoGP introducing radio communication.
Motorsport Week revealed that Dorna held meetings following the conclusion of the first Misano race, with the introduction starting in the 2025 season.
It is understood that radio communication will be one-sided, with race directors talking to the riders.
Dorna’s long-term goal is to allow two-way communication between teams and their riders and riders and race directors.
Acosta doesn’t favour its introduction because of concerns about riders’ safety, stating to Crash.net: “I don’t believe so much in these things. I like to be on my own and think my own things!” Acosta said.
“Also, our head is constantly moving, and even if you move a phone quickly, you can lose connection.
“I don’t really like it and I don’t really believe in that. I tried it in Qatar…
“At the end, if it’s inside the helmet, you can say whatever you want, but if something is touching your head, if [something bad] happens there will be the question mark, was it… something that was in the helmet?
“Also, I don’t believe in cameras in the [leather] suit. But OK, you break a collarbone, you put a plate. The head is something important.
“When I see how it is in F1, it’s only [inside] the ear with a cable. But the thing that we were trying has something [vibrating behind the ear] and it’s touching the bone.”
Mixed reception from riders
Its introduction has received various views from riders, notably 2021 champion Fabio Quartararo, who stated his wavering support.
He explained: “He has been developing it for a long time and I think it’s a great idea for many reasons. We still have a long way to go, because with the noise of the bike it is still difficult to hear well.
“My friend and my crew chief told them not to talk to me in sector 3 in the fast section, but it’s a bit weird to hear people talking when you’re riding and when you’re not breathing.
“We also have to work on the volume of the audio, because in some areas you cannot hear well but under braking you can hear a little better.
“In the Valencia test we also used it, I think it’s the third time I’ve used it. I think it’s great to have communication when something serious happens on the track. If there is oil on the track and nobody knows about it, for example.”
Aprilia rider Maverick Vinales also contributed his two cents, agreeing that this is a good idea from Dorna.
“It can be very interesting for safety, if for example there is an accident, a rider in the middle of the track, that Race Direction can warn you immediately,” he added.
“It’s clear that times are changing and that this kind of thing makes for a better show. My favourite phrase I can already tell you, it will be: ‘Now don’t bother me!’”
In contrast, double-reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia said he would rather pay a fine every race weekend “like Michael Jordan” [where he was fined $25,000 without telling anyone he wore the number 23 without telling anyone] than wear a radio.
Discussion about this post