MotoGP Experiments with Rider Radio Systems in Jerez Test

MotoGP riders and teams are not permitted to use radios during practice or race, unlike the F1. One of two midseason tests slated for 2023, Monday's eight-hour session at Jerez had a lot of noteworthy updates to the test including the rider radio systems. Although other practical applications are not being ruled out, it is important to note that this project is still in its infancy and has a lot of development ahead of it. It was conceived with the intention of swaying the odds in favour of safety. Besides giving teams a chance to fine-tune their package before the midseason push, the Jerez test gives organisers a chance to examine the communication system with Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo, Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro, and GASGAS's Jonas Folger. During the 2020 season, the series conducted initial radio communication testing with Repsol Honda test rider Stefan Bradl at the Misano World Circuit in Italy. Although the system was successfully tested, it was not widely implemented by organisers.

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MotoGP: How Rider Radio System Works

In the event of an accident on the track, race officials may alert the riders with prerecorded communications as they approach the scene. It is expected that there would be predetermined locations where this communication may take place without distracting the recipient rider. Three riders, Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha, Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia, and Jonas Folger of Tech3 GasGas, were selected for this test.

Dorna Sports and the manufacturers of the helmets and dungarees of the selected riders have reportedly collaborated to include a tiny receiver in the leathers and a speaker within the helmet pads, however little specifics about the technology are available.

The latter is what will produce one-way contact with the rider, as instructed by the race organisers. To avoid any unnecessary intrusion, the earpiece may rest on the skin just outside the ear rather than within the ear canal.

MotoGP: The Jerez Test Result 

Following Sunday's Spanish MotoGP, riders and teams returned to Jerez for a day of official testing. During a hectic day of racing at Jerez, Marco Bezzecchi posted the fastest lap time. The weather was nearly ideal, the track was slick with rubber, and the asphalt temperature was just right. Teammate Luca Marini on the Mooney VR46 Ducati was second-fastest, while Fabio Quartararo, who benefited from the increased grip, placed third.

Fourth place went to Gresini Ducati's Fabio Di Giannantonio, who had the same bike and riding position as the two Mooney VR46 riders but still finished fewer than four-tenths behind Bezzecchi.

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Fifth-placed Maverick Viales was the best of the Aprilia riders, faster than Sunday's victor, factory Ducati's Pecco Bagnaia. Brad Binder, riding a KTM, was the quickest rider and placed eighth, while Joan Mir, riding a Honda, was the fastest rider and placed sixteenth.

The day was a disaster for all four Honda test riders. Joan Mir crashed when trying to stop for Turn 6, then the next day both LCR Honda riders, Alex Rins and Takaaki Nakagami, went down. Test rider Stefan Bradl of HRC also crashed after falling off Honda's brand-new Kalex-built chassis. The fact that the frame wasn't damaged meant it could be used by Joan Mir as well.

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