The two-time champion of MotoGP, Casey Stoner, has expressed firm opposition to the highside prevention technology being introduced at the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend.
The strong critique from the Australian, which occurred following Free Practice 1 at the Red Bull Ring on Friday, followed similar remarks made by leading racers Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta the previous day.
Stoner believed that the stability control mechanism – its official name – signaled an alarming trend that echoed errors previously made in Formula 1.
“Currently, engineers are being elevated to the status of champions,” the 2007 and 2009 champion stated. “The riders are not becoming champions. We are entering an era that replicates all the mistakes made by Formula 1.”
“We’ve seen instances of these things not succeeding in the past, yet we’re simply imitating all the problems that Formula 1 has spent years resolving.”
“This weekend, they have introduced an entirely new level of electronics. Speaking with the riders, you can essentially twist the throttle. Despite having nearly 300 horsepower, nothing happens when you twist the throttle.”
“You have the world’s best riders riding the world’s easiest bikes, and I don’t see this as anything I have interest in.”
Casey Stoner
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
“You no longer have control over the degree of slide. When I was testing, prior to ceasing [riding completely], I was not permitted to use the clutch when entering a corner because it confused the system.”
“Therefore, every aspect lacks an element of skill. You simply need to brake hard, enter the corner, and then… all the riders are discussing how they can now simply twist the throttle, press a button [that] drops it down. Too much is happening.”
Stoner did not accept the official justification that the stability control mechanism was implemented to enhance MotoGP safety.
“I don’t perceive it as safer. Removing all control from the rear of the bike eliminates any apprehension about the bike,” he explained. “Subsequently, you begin to push harder in one area, the front end.”
“If you lose the front end, it often returns to the track. We’ve observed catastrophic accidents when the front end of the bike is lost and it rebounds.”
“The safer the rear is made, the worse it will be on the front. We will witness even worse incidents.”
“Also, your maximum speed at the end of the straight increases again. The margin for error in braking points is small, and everyone is absolutely on the limit in that area.”
Stoner’s remarks proved accurate in the practice session that followed his press conference. Although there were no high-side crashes, numerous riders left the track after braking too hard. Some, like Enea Bastianini, did so repeatedly.
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
While braking always presents a challenge at the Spielberg track, the top 10 riders in the session – those who will advance directly to Q2 on Saturday – were largely those who maintained control under braking.
Stoner also expressed negative feelings regarding the planned reduction in aerodynamics and engine capacity for MotoGP in 2027, along with the prohibition of ride height devices.
When asked if the rules for that year went far enough, the 39-year-old responded: “Not even close. By making a bike lighter, the braking point is reduced. You’ll actually be slower at the top speed because they don’t have this ride-height device now. So, there will be less top speed [with a] lighter bike, meaning that going into the corner, braking points are shorter, with fewer opportunities for overtaking.”
“They’re still [going to have] winglets and they will probably be carrying higher corner speeds as well. This will create turbulent air on a lighter bike. They will still have stability issues and tyre temperature issues.”
Stoner also emphasized the cost associated with aerodynamics: “We were discussing not too many years ago [about how MotoGP was] struggling with costs and trying to cut costs. [Aero] is certainly not improving it. [Aero] is the most expensive thing you can do.”
“I don’t understand how the problems are not evident. Each step they take in this direction makes things worse.”
