Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso back MotoGP dashboard messaging
Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso have backed the potential introduction of a MotoGP dashboard messaging system in 2017
Dubbed 'virtual boarding' a system for teams to send pitboard-style messages to a rider's dashboard is under development.
Testing is slated to start at the Aragon round next month, ahead of a possible introduction next year.
A proponent of the pit-to-rider radios, Rossi said he would welcome the new system, also joking about his mixed record in flag-to-flag races such as the recent German Grand Prix.
"It's good, I like it," he said of the system. "During the race, especially in flag-to-flag, it can be a help.
"Also it can be good for safety - if you have a crash in front, or a yellow flag, or some people have a problem with the engine and there's oil.
"Also because I always make the wrong decision! Maybe with the message in the dashboard it's more easy."
Dovizioso was also on the wrong side of the strategy call at the Sachsenring in July, as the lead pack on wet tyres were reeled in and ultimately beaten by Marc Marquez, who switched bikes to slicks early.
However the Ducati rider said his support of the system was more on safety than sporting grounds.
"There are some messages that are really important to improve safety," Dovizioso said.
"If somebody crashes in front of you, the marshals sometimes have to react, and if [the messages are] really fast it can help.
"I'm not agreeing if they open it too much, because when you are riding it's very difficult to read.
"But it's important to have especially the safety messages, not all of the details about what happened with laptimes and blah, blah, blah."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments