Amid the controversies generated by the new MotoGP format for the upcoming season, Marc Marquez has expressed his opinion on the need for greater unity among riders. According to him, eventually, riders could meet in a commission similar to the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) of Formula 1.
The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), along with MotoGP, recently announced changes that will affect the calendar of the grand prix. One of the most notable changes is the introduction of a dedicated qualifying session for sprint races, which has provoked divergent opinions among the riders.
Marquez, who is critical of these reforms, believes that the new formats will only add more pressure on the riders, who are already operating at their limits. In an official press conference, he stated that “what is interesting is to know what the objective of this change is, because for the riders it will simply be more demanding.”
Reactions have been varied, with riders like Francesco Bagnaia and Luca Marini supporting the new format, while Marquez is among those who believe that a more powerful collective voice is needed.
This lack of representation has been a recurring theme, as it is quite evident that the riders do not have enough influence on decisions, partly because a body that effectively represents them has not been established. In contrast, in Formula 1, the GPDA has been protecting the interests of riders since 1961.
Despite several attempts to create a similar organization in MotoGP in recent years, none have been successful for various reasons, including the fear of the cost structure that it would entail. With the changes that will be seen starting next season, the need for a joint voice becomes more evident, as Pedro Acosta has emphasized: “No matter what we think, we have not been given an option.”
Marquez, one of the most experienced riders on the grid, has been mentioned as a possible leader of this initiative. Although he himself does not believe it is the right time to take on this role while competing, he acknowledges the necessary evolution of collective thinking among riders.
Finally, Marquez concludes that the union will be inevitable: “Sooner or later, the association will have to be created, as it happens in Formula 1.”
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
