The MotoGP is gearing up for the Grand Prix of India, an event that has been preceded by numerous challenges and is likely to spark some controversies among the riders as the race weekend approaches. The concerns revolve around the modifications made to ensure the safety of the Buddh International Circuit for modern MotoGP races. As of now, the track has not received its final approval. It’s a rare occurrence to organize such a complex event without the certainty of track approval, which is expected to arrive on Thursday, just a day before the first free practice sessions.
Official images have been widely circulated, but a recent drone video by YouTuber Live with Gaurav, captured just two days ago, provides a detailed view of the track. This footage will give the riders an exact idea of what to expect on Friday. At least three areas of the track are expected to be subjects of discussion, and it’s likely that another meeting among the riders will take place on Thursday, similar to the one held in Barcelona. During that meeting, discussions centered around safety and the need for a collective voice for the riders to communicate with Dorna and FIM. While the details of the meeting were not made public, Aleix Espargarò seems to have been chosen as the official spokesperson for the riders.
Given the massive organizational effort behind the event, it’s unlikely that the riders will face significant issues in India. However, the drone footage highlights some critical areas that will undoubtedly be scrutinized by the riders before hitting the track. Two of these areas are along the starting straight. The video doesn’t provide the perfect perspective, but there’s a noticeable wall not more than three meters from the asphalt edge, running 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 broader escape route. While theoretically, the wall is off the racing line and shouldn’t pose a threat during a crash, scenarios like a group fall at the first braking point could be problematic.
Another area of concern is a section of the track where riders wouldn’t be at very high speeds, but the escape route seems narrow. Immediately following this escape route is another wall, which could become a potential impact point in the event of a slide. While air fences are currently missing, they are likely to be installed before the final track inspection.
All eyes are now on the final checks and the riders’ reactions. Viewing images on a screen is one thing, but experiencing the track firsthand is entirely different. Thursday promises to be an intriguing day for the MotoGP community.