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Why manufacturers must bury self-interest for the sake of survival

MotoGP's teams have been in talks to reduce costs as the current global pandemic continues to wreak financial disaster. But the manufacturers involved need to band together against a common good, and be open to even more radical solutions

Lewis Duncan Apr 16, 2020, 3:06 PM

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing the world of sport to adapt to ensure its survival through various structural and financial rethinks to mitigate the financial disaster COVID-19 has wrought across the globe.

In recent weeks, Formula 1 has elected to get radical with its thinking to keep costs as low as possible. This manifested itself in such ideas as delaying its 2021 rules overhaul by a year and freezing current chassis for a two-season cycle. Reducing the impending cost cap has also been agreed in principal - though by how much remains a sticking point between teams.

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Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.