Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Burgess against single tyre rule

Valentino Rossi's chief engineer, Jerry Burgess, believes MotoGP's decision to become a single tyre formula next season is a mistake

The Grand Prix Commission announced the rule change at Motegi on Sunday, following increasing speculation in recent months as Bridgestone dominated this year's championship.

But Burgess says the move will remove one of the key elements of grand prix racing.

"I'm against it, this is a prototype championship and you need as many prototype factors in it, driving it forward, as possible," he said.

"If it's dumbed down, we could very easily end up as a pseudo Superbike championship.

"We've essentially been one brand before, during the mid to late 90s when Michelin were the de-facto supplier, but there were tyres then that Mick Doohan was riding that not many others could ride. What we need is a one brand rule with choices."

Burgess also doubts that a single supplier will change which riders are contesting victory at the front.

"The cream will always ride to the top," he added. "We've seen this in Formula One, and indeed in 250cc with Dunlop. The racing will be entirely predictable in that the same four riders will be at the top, Valentino (Rossi), Casey (Stoner), (Dani) Pedrosa, and Jorge (Lorenzo).

"What I really want to know is the reason this has come about. Surely the most exciting racing at Motegi was the battle between Lorenzo and Pedrosa on two different brands."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Grapevine: Rossi recruits 'lawyer' for celebration
Next article Weather curtails Motegi test

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe