Costs in MotoGP have exploded since the introduction of four-stroke engines, with the rise turning almost exponential once the relatively simple 990s were dropped to make way for the 800cc MotoGP machines. Since the beginning of the financial crisis, MotoGP has been looking for ways to cut costs, with much of the effort taking place through changes to the technical regulations. The first step was a return to 1000cc engines, with a bore limit of 81mm to keep revs down. The following steps will be the imposition of a strict rev limit - most probably 15,000 RPM - and the introduction of controls on electronics through the adoption of a spec ECU.
There has been much debate about the proposed rule changes, and especially about the introduction of a single ECU. Electronics have come to play a central role in MotoGP, and have been a massive driver of costs in the sport, with the manufacturers focusing much of their development on developing ever-more sophisticated electronics strategies for maximizing performance from the 21 liters of fuel permitted for the MotoGP bikes. The fans and followers are divided: many would welcome a strict limit on the electronics used on the bikes, claiming that the amount of electronic intervention is ruining the racing and taking control out of the hands of the riders and placing it with the software engineers who write the code for the ECUs. Others deride that argument, saying that imposing a spec ECU is yet another step in the dumbing down of MotoGP, and another move away from the unfettered pursuit of advantage in every area, including technology, that underlies the spirit of Grand Prix racing.
Would a spec ECU lead to the unacceptable dumbing down of racing? Would it really help to control costs? To help clarify the debate, MotoMatters.com spoke to MotoGP's Director of Technology Corrado Cecchinelli, the man who was brought in by Dorna at the beginning of last year to help lay out a stable plan for the series in the future. Cecchinelli explained to us the thinking behind the adoption of a standard ECU, and went into detail about the capabilities which such a component may have. Throughout the interview, Cecchinelli was at pains to point out that a final decision had not yet been made on the adoption of a spec ECU, and that the introduction of a rev limit and spec ECU were the final steps in establishing a stable set of rules which could be used unchanged for several years.
MotoMatters: We've heard so much about the introduction of a spec ECU in MotoGP, that we came to you to clear the issue up. What exactly are the plans for the ECU?
Dennis Boulom Christian Bourgeois Philippe Bouzanne Ellis Boyce Helmut Bradl
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