Qatar Airways MOTOGP

[Fatfatboy]

Qatar only gets 3 inches of rain annually. The night before FP1 it seems Doha got most of it. One heck of a storm that shut the airport down most the night and blew a lot of sand on the track.

The new surface of the track is said to be billiard table smooth but the sand is not doing anyone any favors.
In FP1 the sand was being kicked up like small clouds of dust behind the bikes creating a haze in the air and making a slippery track.

[Fatfatboy]

That wasn’t a congratulations slap upside the head.

[Fatfatboy]

Woohoo. It’s going to run to the end!!

[oldironnow]

Can’t believe i missed all of it !
I convinced myself it was next week !

[Fatfatboy]

"Screw your Mapping 8! I came to win!"

[Mad4TheCrest]

Fatfatboy wrote

"Screw your Mapping 8! I came to win!"

It seems this instance of the use of "mapping 8" was meant as a reminder when there were 5 laps remaining. Per Simon C, and backed up by the team manager, FabioD had planned to stay behind someone (to allow him to start the race with lower front tire pressure) until 5 laps remaining, then take the lead if he could. And that's exactly how it worked out.  Pecco who lead most of the race had to start with higher tire outside to avoid a penalty, since the cooler air on his tire wouldn't raise and keep the pressure into the
legal zone. At the end of the race Fabio had more front grip and could ease away for the win, but he had to wait until no more than 5 laps remaining. Crafar laid that strategy out clearly during the race and well before the team confirmed it after the race. My original thoughts that Simon was a dud were incredibly wrong. He's the best!

[Fatfatboy]

Thanks Mr. Mad for the explanation. They planned it just right. How often does a plan come together in racing?
Hard to believe Fabio Di. doesn’t have a ride in MOTOGP next year.
I wonder if it’s because no one wants to have to keep spelling his last name on the documents.

I do have to wonder why Martin had so much tire trouble than other racers. His troubles came from the very beginning at start and he said by lap 2 it felt like he was going to crash at every turn.

I always thought the GP bikes had traction control that would help avoid the near spin out that Martin had at the start. Sure didn’t look that way for him.

[motogrady]

Fatfatboy wrote

I do have to wonder why Martin had so much tire trouble than other racers. His troubles came from the very beginning at start and he said by lap 2 it felt like he was going to crash at every turn.

I always thought the GP bikes had traction control that would help avoid the near spin out that Martin had at the start. Sure didn’t look that way for him.

Maybe the computer tech guy messed up with the traction
control settings?

And the Map 8 deal, I don’t believe word of it.
He thought screw you guys, I need a job next year.

[motogrady]

…..eh…..jou takea 8 en chuv eet!!!!!

[oldironnow]

I just finished the Qatar cycle.
Yes, Crafar is really improving, but I’m with MG on ‘mapping 8’.
As I remember it, mapping 8 with Lorenzo didn’t mean “the strategy is perfect - go now. Let’s risk another race to win the championship in Valencia.”

That was an exceptional race weekend.

Di-Gi earned a ride, too. Happy kid.


.

[motogrady]

oldironnow wrote

I just finished the Qatar cycle.
Yes, Crafar is really improving, but I’m with MG on ‘mapping 8’.
As I remember it, mapping 8 with Lorenzo didn’t mean “the strategy is perfect - go now. Let’s risk another race to win the championship in Valencia.”

That was an exceptional race weekend.

Di-Gi earned a ride, too. Happy kid.


.

I saw somewhere the 8 message with that team was usually
meant to pay attention, a message or communication of importance is coming from the team.