FIM made an announcement that excited the MotoGP world. He announced that next year's calendar will start in Qatar on March 10 and end in Valencia on November 17. However, this statement brought not only joy. The new calendar includes elements such as the return of the Aragon Grand Prix and the removal of the Kazakhstan GP from the list of canceled races. However, with these changes, some important names, especially Fabio Quartararo and Marc Marquez, point out the difficulties brought by 2023 races in the 22 season.
Number of Races and Sprint Format
Next season will bring additional stressors for drivers. “That's clearly the limit,” Quartararo said. But the problem is that it's not just 22 races, it's also 22 sprints.” said. Racers are concerned that the weekend is becoming more tiring, both mentally and physically.
Opinion of Fabio Quartararo
“From my point of view, I think this is the limit,” 2021 champion Quartararo said at the Japanese GP. he said. He stated that they had to be limited as of Friday morning and that they had a more difficult season compared to last year's calendar.
Marc Marquez's Evaluation
Eight-time World Champion Marquez shared Quartararo's concerns. “I completely agree with Fabio, 22 races are too many.” Marquez stated that the increase in injuries is directly related to the number of races. He pointed out that the rate of injuries increases with sprint races, where the risk increases.
Aleix Espargaro's Concerns
Although Aleix Espargaro is not worried about additional races in 2024, he pointed out that the summer break has been shortened. “I have to compete. "Obviously, I would have preferred fewer races and no sprint races, but if they put on 22 races, you have to do 22 races." Espargaro thinks that drivers need longer breaks to relax mentally.
Conclusion: Common Concerns of Racers
The MotoGP world is experiencing mixed emotions about the changes that the 2023 season will bring. Common concerns among drivers indicate that a more demanding season is ahead, both physically and mentally.