2023 Indian GP, Moto GP – A Race Where Anything Is Possible
If there’s a Moto GP race where we should expect surprises, it’s the one we have coming up this weekend. For the first time in the competitive calendar, the Indian Grand Prix will take place at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from September 22-24. This race carries the label of being one where anything is possible, not only because the track is new but also due to another peculiarity. No official tests have been conducted on this track before, so the most elite two-wheel riders will have the honor of breaking new ground on Indian asphalt.
All riders start from scratch, and setting the right strategy from the beginning can be crucial for the race’s outcome. Michelin will also face a real challenge as they need to predict which tire type will best suit the surface. The track is 4.96 km long, with 8 right turns and 5 left turns, and a 1 km straight where in the end the brakes will need to perform flawlessly.
Regardless of the track conditions, the status of the top favorite has to be given to the current leader in the championship standings, Italian Francesco Bagnaia, who holds the top spot with 283 points. The Ducati rider will be aiming for his new victory in this year’s championship and trying to prove his championship skills on unfamiliar terrain. It’s worth noting that he triumphed in Austria this year and was third last year at the Buriram circuit in Thailand, which is considered the closest in similarity to the Indian track. If we judge by these indicators, the Italians Marco Bezzecchi and South African Brad Binder, who finished second and third in Austria this year, are the ones most likely to challenge Bagnaia. Of course, we can’t discount Jorge Martin, second in the championship with 247 points. The Pramac Racing Team rider finished seventh in Austria this year and ninth at the Buriram track last year.
Considering the uniqueness of the race, it’s not surprising if one of the lower-ranked riders surprises. One of them could be Miguel Oliveira, a Portuguese rider who has shown the ability to achieve good results in specific conditions. Fabio Quartararo and Marc Marquez will also be seeking their chance, despite not having the best season, but they certainly want to make the most of what the Buddh International Circuit offers and retain their glory.
Taking into account some other factors, Spanish rider Aleix Espargaro also could find his place among the top three favorites. There were some visa issues, so certain riders and teams couldn’t arrive in India on time. Francesco Bagnaia, mentioned earlier, succeeded in this regard, as did Aprilia riders Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro. The adaptation period can be crucial, so Espargaro and Vinales could disrupt the plans of the leaders in the championship.
Prediction:
1. Francesco Bagnaia
2. Jorge Martin
3. Aleix Espargaro
Unpredictable and exciting. That’s what we expect from the Moto GP race in India.
Written by: Mladen Radosavljevic