DOHA: Between today and tomorrow, the majority of MotoGP teams will descend on Qatar’s Losail International Circuit – also the host venue for the season-opening Grand Prix – for the last test before the 2014 season commences later this month
The test, to be staged across three days and on each of them during the period of late afternoon to early evening, will come as a final opportunity for teams to try out new components and race simulation runs before the opening practice session of the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar on March 20.
The official riders of factory outfits Repsol Honda Team, newly-named Movistar Yamaha MotoGP and Ducati Team will not be in action this time, following the Tyre Safety Test at Phillip Island at which they worked with various tyre combinations for Bridgestone.
Instead, the Factory Option satellite riders will share the circuit with their Open counterparts.
Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro, GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista and LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl will be the only Factory Option representatives present, whereas the so-called ‘battle of the Opens’ will continue between the likes of NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Aleix Espargaro and Colin Edwards, plus others such as Drive M7 Aspar pairing Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama as well as Gresini’s Scott Redding.
PBM will return to action with Michael Laverty and Broc Parkes, having elected to miss the second Sepang test, whereas IodaRacing Project and Danilo Petrucci will make their first on-track appearance of 2014.
In the case of Karel Abraham, the Cardion AB Motoracing rider will be hoping to endure less pain with his recovering left shoulder than he did last time out in Malaysia.
The challenge will be somewhat different for Pramac Racing, as Andrea Iannone and Yonny Hernandez are tasked with continuing Ducati’s work after the Italian manufacturer announced that all of its motorcycles will be racing under the Open banner this year. AGENCIES
MUMBAI: India’s motor sports federation is optimistic the tax problems that have jeopardised the country’s Formula One race will be resolved and the home Grand Prix will be back in 2016.
Formula One commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said yesterday that the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi will not be hosting a race next year after being dropped from the 2014 championship.
Problems over taxation, with Formula One classified as entertainment rather than a sport in India, as well as the considerable bureaucracy governing the import of equipment have been seen as obstacles. The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) is waiting for a clearance from the sports ministry for recognition as a national sports federation and hopes that will pave the way for the race’s return.
“It’s unfortunate but once the government gives the recognition I am very hopeful that Mr Ecclestone’s concerns will be satisfied,” Akbar Ebrahim, the chairman of racing at FMSCI, said.
“The required paperwork that was asked for by the government of India has been already submitted a month back,” Ebrahim added. “It’s a priority. “This recognition is not just for F1 but it is beneficial for the grass root level of Indian motorsports, too.” AFP
