Loris Capirossi says 2012 tyre changes have made MotoGP safer
Loris Capirossi believes the tyre changes he recommended and Bridgestone implemented over 2012 have helped make MotoGP safer
The 2011 season was punctuated by a string of crashes, particularly during Friday practice, which were attributed to Bridgestone's compounds taking too long to warm up.
15-time world champion Giacomo Agostini also called for changes in the behaviour of MotoGP tyres following Marco Simoncelli's fatal accident at Sepang.
Capirossi, installed as safety advisor to the championship and its promoter Dorna at the end of 2011, said at the start of this year that improving the safety of Bridgestone's rubber would be his main priority.
The 39-year-old believes both he and Bridgestone have been successful in their subsequent endeavours.
"I'm proud of the work done on tyres: this year no one has broken any bones due to tyres not being up to temperature," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Bridgestone has worked well and I have pointed them in the right direction.
"It's not over yet: in 2013 we'll have tyres made specifically for the CRTs and perhaps there will be news regarding the number of tyres at everyone's disposal."
The Italian said he was also working on several other safety improvements and procedural revisions.
"We are working on small but important details, for example a guard for the front brake lever," he explained.
"Not everyone was convinced but I spoke with the riders. We try to understand the problems and solve them.
"We are [also] looking at a rider's protective gear: we don't want to see riders with overalls or helmets damaged by crashes.
"It's a question of safety - if the gear has already been put to work, it becomes less protective."
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About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Valentino Rossi |
| Teams | AB Motoracing |
| Author | Michele Lostia |
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