Movistar Yamaha riders Jorge Lorenzo, winner of last year’s race in Qatar, and Valentino Rossi (right) pose on their bikes. Pictures: Noushad Thekkayil


By Mikhil Bhat/Doha


Cal Crutchlow was asked about his thoughts on riding in the Open class during a press conference ahead of the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar yesterday. The Ducati rider retorted, “Did you not read the rules? I am (a Factory rider now).” It was enough to send those present into a rapturous laugh.
Confused? Take comfort in the fact that there are many others who are too.
For 2014, Dorna, the promoter of the series, had abolished the Claiming Rule Team (CRT) rules in favour of Factory and Open categories. While Factory teams, like Movistar Yamaha and Repsol Honda, have immense resources at their disposal, Open teams are essentially privateer teams with limited budget and personnel.
To bring in parity, Factory teams are allowed to work on their own mapping software on the standard Magneti Marelli engine control unit (ECU), but have a restriction of five engines per bike for the entire season and only 20 litres of fuel per race. Furthermore, they won’t be allowed to develop the engines over the course of the season.
On the other hand, Open teams have 12 engines at their disposal, with no limitations on development, and 24 litres of fuel per race. These teams, however, will have to use the standard ECU along with the software it comes with.
However, all hell broke loose the moment Ducati decided on switching to the Open category.
Smaller teams complained and Dorna made last-minute changes to the rules — under which if an Open team races to a victory in dry conditions, or has two second-place finishes or three third-place finishes, it will be placed in what is being called as Factory 2. Such teams will see their engine allotment fall to nine and the fuel allotment down to 22.5 litres.
Crutchlow had last month said, “We all discussed the pros and cons. For me, there was a load of pros and not so many cons. I don’t think everyone (in the paddock) is happy about it, but I think everybody in Ducati is happy.”
Yesterday, at the Losail International Circuit, the British rider took digs, with a dash of sarcasm and indifference, at the rule changes.
“Ducati has been making some decisions, well, so has everyone else. Some decisions got taken out of our hands!” he quipped, before adding: “One moment I am a Factory rider, and then an Open rider, and now a Factory rider again. I don’t care to be honest. It doesn’t matter to me. I think the rules are fine. I think Dorna are doing a good job to help us. Thanks.”
Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez took over from there. “For the fans, maybe it will be a little strange because the rules have changed two or three times. At the beginning they said there were two categories—Factory and Open—but now they have this other category... I don’t know the situation!” the Repsol Honda rider said.
“Anyway, in the end it will be quite similar. Open and Factory will each have some advantages and disadvantages. But I think everyone is working to have only one category, because the name is just ‘MotoGP’, but they need time.”
Jorge Lorenzo, the winner of the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar last year, said: “The goal for Dorna is reducing the costs and having a lot of bikes fighting for victories.
“While the first goal has become confusing because you reduce engines and fuel consumption for the Factory teams, now you have the option to go with Open and have more engines and more fuel. But they have got it as far as having more riders fighting for the championship and for victories.”
Lorenzo’s Movistar Yamaha teammate, Valentino Rossi, said that while there is confusion, the riders “don’t care” about this.
“The important thing for us is to give the maximum, go as fast as possible, put on a good show for the people and the result after the chequered flag,” Rossi said.
Marquez’s teammate Dani Pedrosa said that while it is not the ideal situation right now, it’s a question of finding the right balance. “I think we will have to wait a few more years. If you look outside MotoGP, Formula One is also making many changes all the time to figure out the best way. It’s not ideal but it is what it is.”