MotoGP is gearing up for the Grand Prix of India, an event that has been preceded by numerous challenges and is likely to stir some controversies among the riders as the race weekend approaches. Concerns revolve around the modifications made to ensure the safety of the Buddh International Circuit for modern MotoGP races. To date, the track has not yet received final approval. It is rare to organize such a complex event without the certainty of track approval, which is expected to come on Thursday, just one day before the first free practice sessions.
The official images have been widely circulated, but a recent video taken with a drone by YouTuber Live with Gaurav, captured just two days ago, offers a detailed view of the track. These images will give the pilots an exact idea of what to expect on Friday. It is expected that at least three areas of the track will be discussed, and another meeting between the pilots is likely to take place on Thursday, similar to the one that took place in Barcelona. During that meeting, discussions focused on safety and the need for a collective voice for the pilots to communicate with Dorna and FIM. Although the details of the meeting have not been made public, Aleix Espargaró seems to have been chosen as the official spokesperson for the pilots.
Given the enormous organizational effort behind the event, it is unlikely that the pilots will face significant issues in India. However, the drone images highlight some critical areas that will undoubtedly be examined by the pilots before entering the track. Two of these areas are along the starting straight. The video does not offer a perfect perspective, but there is a noticeable wall no more than three meters from the edge of the asphalt, running along the entire length of the straight. This wall remains even at the braking point, unlike the Mugello circuit, where the wall ends, allowing for a wider escape route. Although theoretically, the wall is outside the racing line and should not pose a threat during an accident, scenarios like a group crash at the first braking point could be problematic.
Another area of concern is a section of the track where riders would not be at very high speeds, but the emergency exit seems narrow. Immediately after this escape route, there is another wall, which could become a potential point of impact in case of a slide. Although there are currently no air fences, it is likely that they will be installed before the final track inspection.
All eyes are now on the final checks and on the reactions of the riders. Seeing images on a screen is one thing, but experiencing the track firsthand is completely different. Thursday promises to be an intriguing day for the MotoGP community.
