MotoGP radio system under further development: Pedro Acosta praises new earplugs

MotoGP is pressing ahead with the development of a radio system for the riders. Initially, the technology is intended to transmit safety-related messages from race control directly into the riders’ ears. In the long term, two-way communication is conceivable – similar to that used in Formula 1 between the driver and the pit.

An important consideration in the development is comfort. Pedro Acosta tested a revised version of the earplugs designed for this purpose at the Sachsenring GP and subsequently at Silverstone. During the recent race weekend in the UK, the Red Bull KTM rider reported significant progress.

First step: improved comfort

“These are the earplugs that Dorna wants to use for the audio system. But it was, so to speak, the first test,” explained Acosta. “I’m very particular when it comes to earplugs, but they’ve found a good compromise. I’m quite happy with them.”

The Spaniard normally relies on classic foam earplugs from 3M, which he has been using since he was 16. With the new design, the developers have apparently managed to combine these with a customised shape.

“They’ve found a way to combine the earplugs I like with a new, customised shape,” said Acosta. For him, the focus is less on the functionality of the wireless system and more on its suitability for everyday use: “I don’t know how they’ll develop the audio aspect further, but the bare minimum is that it has to be comfortable.”

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A positive sign: Acosta is using the new earplugs of his own accord

That’s precisely what was lacking in previous attempts. “The others we tried before weren’t up to scratch,” emphasised the KTM factory rider during the Silverstone Grand Prix. With the latest version, however, Acosta is so satisfied that he has voluntarily used them at the last two Grands Prix. “I wore them at the Sachsenring and here. But I wear them because I find them comfortable. If that weren’t the case, I’d have gone back to the normal ones.”

It remains to be seen when a radio system might actually be introduced in MotoGP. There is no set date for its introduction as yet. With the redesigned earplugs, progress has at least been made in terms of comfort.