Exclusive interview with Corrado Cecchinelli, MotoGP technical director

We met Corrado Cecchinelli, MotoGP technical director, in Valencia during the last day of testing. With the Engineer (who had a glorious past at Ducati) we discussed various topics. We talked about the end of the CRT era, the beginning of the new "Open", the single tire, Ducati and other interesting topics. Here is our exclusive interview.

We are with Corrado Cecchinelli, Technical Manager of MotoGP, with a past in Ducati. Corrado, let's talk about the championship that has just ended, which also marks the end of the CRT era, which will be replaced by the new Open, a motorcycle with 24 liters available, 12 engines and the new ECU (electronic control unit) from Magneti Marelli.

“From a technical point of view little changes, the definition instead changes heavily; the “C” in CRT stood for “Claiming” and the “R” for “Rules”, there was a claiming rule which meant that it was possible to buy the engines of these teams at the end of the race at a figure low enough to be sure that the technical content of the engines was equally low and that therefore the manufacturers did not introduce too exotic technologies.

Now the manufacturers are showing interest in a category that is not the official one but they are ready to take this category to a higher level, so the Claiming Rules are being removed precisely to obtain, on the contrary, a greater commitment on their part, so a leveling up these teams. In our long-term vision, this represents the solution of the future. Ensuring that these bikes reach a level that can make them the bikes of the future. This is neither agreed nor imposed, but we hope it happens. The Open class more or less maintains the technical characteristics and therefore the advantages of the CRTs compared to the official ones, with the elimination of the Claiming Rules, therefore greater protection for those who want to commit more heavily.

Do you think they can be competitive compared to the Factory ones?

“There are technical advantages that are not negligible. As far as I'm concerned, the biggest advantage they have is that of racing with a specific tyre. The 12 engines available against the 5 and 24 liters against the 20 are more than anything the elimination of a disadvantage. In fact, without the direct commitment of a manufacturer that invests all resources in limiting consumption and reliability of the engines it would be impossible; I therefore see it more as a removal of a barrier. In fact, this formula would not be possible if 20 liters and 5 engines were also applied to them.

As for the evolution of motorcycles, I don't know how much the manufacturers will do it, for sure for our part, the software will be heavily evolved during the season. Being in my opinion at a more than acceptable level at the moment, I believe we will finish the season at a good level. For this reason, performance will improve and will also do so because structures and riders will have become familiar with these bikes. If the spiral that these will be the bikes of the future is triggered, perhaps even the manufacturers will "magnanimously" include updates for the future, we hope so."

What do you think is the right cost for an Open? Shuhei Nakamoto (HRC vice-president) said that their RCV1000R cost more than expected, around one million two hundred thousand euros.

“It's difficult for me to say, as a dreamer I hope for a future where the cost is reduced by the will of the houses compared to the current one. In my opinion, in addition to a certain cost which then becomes price, the cost-benefit ratio becomes quite poor. Let me explain better, it is believed that an acceptable cost that can maintain the business is one million euros, all included. This is not exactly the case today but we are close; I say that no fan at home and no journalist would complain if the price was half a million. The bikes would go a tenth slower and perhaps the show would be better rather than uglier. So it's hard to say what the natural cost is. It is clear that the policy of controlling prices is not very effective if it is not combined with a policy of technical limitations which reduce costs. In my opinion, the categories are supported if there is a correct and natural relationship between cost and price and therefore a reasonable margin for those who operate in the business. Otherwise, those who are willing to lose money by running as a marketing investment and not a business one will always win and in my opinion this is not natural. So just saying that the motorbikes should cost five hundred thousand euros instead of one million is not very effective; some "powerful" would do it anyway, but with motorcycles worth a million, therefore losing more than what they already lose. I, however, hope that we arrive at a future that is reasonable, at the end of 2014 where the million-dollar Opens drop in price."

You talked about tires before, do you think the choice of a single supplier is still valid? This also refers to the events at Phillip Island.

“It's a valid choice, but it requires some attention, and an example, as you said, are the events at Phillip Island (where the race direction was forced to do a Flag to Flag race due to the poor durability of the tyres, which did not lasted more than 10 laps). That is not an example of a good approach. It is not implicit in the single tire not to have a suitable tire for a particular track. In my opinion the job wasn't done perfectly there. So it's still a valid choice but it shouldn't lead to problems like those at Phillip Island."

A word about Ducati, the company with which you worked. Here was Gigi Dall'Igna, who in the presentation press conference said that it will take at least two years to win again, what do you think?

“I say that the timing is realistic, it is difficult to be able to become competitive again in a short time, perhaps he was also optimistic.”

He also said that if necessary they will make a completely new bike, reiterating that in his opinion it will be necessary.

“I worked at Ducati, checks should be carried out before rebuilding a completely new motorbike. For example, it would be nice to find a rider like Stoner who gets on the bike without prejudice and maybe takes a second down. Before changing a project, it should be checked very carefully. There have been many changes at Ducati recently, even too many."

Dall'Igna said that he has found very knowledgeable people both at home and on the track, but that there is no connection between them.

“I'm surprised that he said this, when I was at Ducati this was precisely one of the strong points.”

What do you think of Suzuki's return, which will take place in 2015? “It's good that an official company wants to get back into the game, perhaps they left too soon.”

Could it be a solution to field an Open bike? “Why not, in that case no one would ask him to be immediately in front, otherwise he would at least have to fight with the other Factory bikes.”

One last question about Marc Marquez, world champion on his debut and who broke many records. “I say this, because in the end we are bar enthusiasts, like many in here... at the beginning of the year I said that Marquez was a phenomenon, I thought he would certainly win some races and it already seemed like a lot to me, but he surprised everyone and It's very nice that these surprises come out every now and then. I believe that my opinion at the beginning of the year was shared by many. It's certainly nice to have a driver like that, someone who adds to the spectacle, it's a good thing he's here, long live him, in my opinion the best one won this year. "