MotoGP will introduce a mental health screening protocol for its riders starting this winter, aimed at monitoring emotional stability and mitigating high-speed safety risks across the world championship grid. Dr. Ángel Charte, the chief medical officer of the World Championship, announced the initiative ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit.
Mental Health Screening Launching This Winter
The new evaluation framework is designed to address both personal emotional stability and potential psychological destabilization that could endanger competitors racing at speeds exceeding 350 kilometers per hour. Dr. Charte stated that while riders routinely bounce back from high-speed crashes and immediately return to competition, the mental toll required to sustain such focus demands formal oversight.
Rather than imposing immediate mandates, medical staff intend to work discreetly alongside specialized mental health professionals. Dr. Charte emphasized that the project seeks to convince riders of the practical benefits of psychological support both for their personal well-being and for the collective safety of the paddock.
The Evaluation Protocol at Valencia and Thailand
The rollout will begin during the final race weekend of the current season in Valencia, where riders will receive a newly developed mental health questionnaire. Specialists in the field have drafted the evaluation to remain straightforward and non-invasive, avoiding overly complex or intrusive inquiries into the athletes’ personal lives.
Competitors are required to complete the questionnaires over the winter break and return them to medical officials during the opening official preseason test in Thailand. Once collected, Dr. Charte and a selected team of mental health professionals will review the responses, comments, and suggestions provided by the riders.
Medical staff handle findings with rider confidentiality
Medical personnel will handle any concerning findings with strict confidentiality and professional tact, requiring the explicit authorization of the individual rider before any direct intervention occurs. However, championship officials maintain that if assessments reveal significant safety hazards, the governing body holds the obligation to adapt existing regulations accordingly.
Dr. Charte acknowledged that the initiative also serves as a learning experience for the medical staff itself, noting that consulting with top specialists has reinforced the understanding that mental health is a foundational pillar of modern motorsport safety.
Dr. Ángel Charte leads MotoGP mental health initiative
Who is leading the MotoGP mental health initiative?
Dr. Ángel Charte, the chief medical officer of the World Championship and an internist at the Dexeus-Quirón University Hospital in Barcelona, is spearheading the program alongside specialized mental health professionals.
When will riders receive and return the mental health tests?
Riders will be handed the questionnaires during the final grand prix weekend of the season in Valencia. They must complete the forms during the winter break and hand them back at the first preseason test in Thailand.
Are the mental health questionnaires mandatory and invasive?
Medical officials describe the test as straightforward and free of invasive or overly complex personal questions. While participation is initially being introduced through cooperation and discretion, officials note that regulations could be updated if evaluations uncover safety risks for the grid.
Worth a look
