Image Source: motogp.com
MotoGP, the world's premier motorcycle road race, is considering the introduction of wireless communications as a means of communication between riders and teams.
What are the advantages of introducing wireless?
The biggest advantage of wireless communication is that it allows riders to be alerted to danger as quickly as possible in the event of an accident on the course. The system also provides riders with real-time information on ever-changing positions, time gaps between rivals and track conditions, as well as information from the rider's side on the status of their machine to the pits, and the instantaneous exchange of team orders and other race strategies.
On the other hand, MotoGP fans will be able to hear the riders' live conversations on international TV, just as they would in F1. A test for the introduction of the wireless system is currently being conducted during race week at Misano, where the San Marino Grand Prix was held last weekend, and I'm looking forward to the result.
Wireless communication was introduced early in F1.
Even before MotoGP, wireless communication has been banned in 2-wheel races. The reason for this has not been given explicitly, but we'll get to that later for a hint. Incidentally, wireless communication has been allowed in F1 for a long time, and the famous story is that the late Ayrton Senna, known as the "sonic nobleman", was once heard on international television sobbing on a winning ride after his first victory at his home race in Brazil in 1991.
In addition, from the early 2000s onwards, communication between riders and pits was also made available to the public.
Is the pit sign outdated?
Traditionally, pit signs have been the only way for riders and teams to communicate with each other in motorcycle racing, and as far as I know, this has been the method of communication between riders and teams for probably over a century since the birth of motorcycle racing. Even in today's cutting-edge, high-tech world of MotoGP, riders still only read the simple message on the board one way or the other as they race down the home straight at over 300km/h.
Therefore, the content is a cryptic combination of numbers and initials with information such as "how many laps and what position you're on" or "who's behind you and by how many seconds". When you think about it, the communication at the pit stop sign may seem a bit outdated.
Triggered by a serious incident at the Austrian Grand Prix
After witnessing the horrific incident that struck Rossi and Viñales at the 5th round of the Austrian Grand Prix recently, one would have wished that the riders had been informed of the danger even a second earlier. In fact, this one incident appears to have been the trigger for the introduction of the wireless system. According to reports from foreign sources, MotoGP machines are currently equipped with a red-flag dashboard display system, but it seems that this is a bottleneck in terms of time lag and poor visibility, and the aim is to compensate for this with a wireless warning system.
Riders react differently
However, opinions on the introduction of the wireless system seem to be divided among the riders. While some are positive that "it's good to use what's convenient," some riders are skeptical about the introduction of wireless. It's a problem of information overload. MotoGP riders are still operating their motorcycles at the limits of their mental and physical abilities, and the added burden of 'wireless communication' is making them fearful of losing their concentration.
Too much information is impossible to process, and if it distracts you, it is quite possible that the ranking and safety will be affected. There is also the question of being able to hear wireless communication over the intense roar and wind noise of the MotoGP machines.
May be safe in F1, but dangerous in MotoGP?
Some might say, "If it is safe in F1, why not in MotoGP?", but if you've ever ridden a motorcycle, you'll understand that. In a car, you can safely do winding while talking on a hands-free phone, but to do the same thing on a motorcycle, you'll break out in a cold sweat. It's a vehicle that requires the senses of the whole body to be sharpened and focused to operate. When you're in the midst of fierce competition for racing speed, even if MotoGP introduced wireless technology, it might be used in a different way than in F1.
It's really interesting to listen to the wireless communication in F1. Sometimes the riders are so relaxed that they can make a joke out of it. The film reflects the human side of these superhuman racers, whether they are raging in fierce battles or shedding tears of joy at the victory. I also feel that the lifting of the ban on wireless communication will make MotoGP an even more exciting and fascinating human drama. I would like to keep an eye on future trends with great interest.
