Valentino Rossi believes the proposed changes to the rules regarding bike swaps in MotoGP’s flag-to-flag races will not stop crashes happening in pit lane.
During the flag-to-flag Czech Grand Prix, Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone crashed while coming in to change to his second bike when Aprilia released Aleix Espargaro into his path.
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Since then, numerous calls have been made by the riders to change the way bike swaps are conducted to avoid a repeat of the incident seen at Brno.
At the end of second practice for the British Grand Prix on Friday a new system, which saw bikes angled towards the exit of pit lane to stop riders hopping from bike to bike and a lollipop signal put in place to warn of oncoming traffic, was trialled.
While satisfied to use this system if that is what is agreed by the Safety Commission, Rossi reckons it will not stop an incident similar to that between Iannone and Espargaro from happening again.
“For me, I’m curious to speak with the other riders in the Safety Commission and understand their idea,” said the Italian.
“It’s possible that we can use, have something good, something bad compared to the other one.
“I think more or less we are there, I’m happy with both.
“But if this rule is made to fix the problem of the incident between Iannone and Espargaro, it don’t fix nothing.
“It don’t change nothing, we don’t see the other bike (entering pitlane) anyway.
“We will speak later and it’s possible we can use, it’s not a problem, but it don’t fix the problem.”
LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow spoke out against introducing a change to the bike swap system, the Briton feeling the blame for a collision in pit lane lies squarely with the rider entering.
He also expressed his concern with the system which was tested at Silverstone being used at a circuit where pit lane is smaller, as he believes this could potentially be more dangerous than the current system.
“If you crash in pitlane in a flag-to-flag race, as far as I’m concerned, it’s your own fault,” he said.
“When Iannone crashed, it was not because of Aleix. You’ve just got to open your eyes. If I crash in pitlane it’s my own fault.
“I didn’t seen anything wrong with it before. All this stuff, changing this guy, make us come in at this angle, that’s going to work here, perfect.
“Wait till you get to a pitlane like Phillip Island, or something – people in the garages will be cleaned out I reckon.”
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