Francesco Bagnaia calls for mandatory MotoGP tests at new circuits after Brazil problems

Francesco Bagnaia believes MotoGP should introduce mandatory test sessions before a race is held at 'new' circuits.

Last weekend’s first Brazilian MotoGP since 2004 saw disruption across all three days due to track-related issues, culminating in the grand prix being shortened by eight laps in response to surface degradation.

Since the resurfacing and track work was 'in full compliance with FIM standards', questions are being asked about whether MotoGP's circuit homologation process is rigorous enough.

Whatever the homologation criteria, Bagnaia underlined that putting MotoGP prototypes on track is the only way to expose potential problems.

“I think that in the future we should absolutely have the possibility of doing a test before the GP so we can identify any problems,” GPOne.com quotes Bagnaia as saying on Thursday in COTA.

Production-based machines had tried the Goiania circuit ahead of the MotoGP event, but Bagnaia explained:

“If you ride a production bike on a track, you can't see its limits. I think this [a MotoGP test] is a change that needs to be made.”

Two new venues - Buenos Aires in Argentina and Adelaide in Australia - are scheduled to join the MotoGP calendar next season.

Cost aside, organising an extra MotoGP test outside of Europe would be logistically difficult to fit around the racing calendar, but Bagnaia believes factory test riders could competently fulfil the role.

“Test riders are enough for me,” he said. “In 2022, when we were able to test in Indonesia, it was nice because we were able to try the tyres.

“We realised they weren't perfect and in fact they were then changed for the GP.

“It’s true that not all testers push the bike to the limit, but it would still be better than nothing.”