MotoGP Team Spotlight – Matteo Flamigni
On race day, usually around 2pm, the combination of rider and machine takes the spotlight for about an hour in front of hundreds of thousands of fans at the circuit and millions upon millions more around the world on television. Leading up to the moment that the red lights go off, there are many technicians, engineers, specialists, coaches, and even cooks hard at work during the week and the weekend making sure that the rider has the best chance to win. Hardcore and casual MotoGP fans alike understand and appreciate the technology and teamwork that go into getting a rider and bike perfectly in tune in order to compete at the highest level. We have spoken to many fans and while everyone is excited to hear from a racer at any opportunity, many are curious about the team members behind the scenes. These individuals play a key role in the team’s success. After all, an orchestra without all of its parts playing well would only be making noise. Over the course of the season we will be bringing you a glimpse into other parts of the MotoGP team, and what it takes to get there. Our first conversation was with Valentino Rossi’s telemetry engineer, Matteo Flamigni, a man that you have probably seen on television every time you tune in to watch a race. Here’s what he had to say about his MotoGP experience, and he also offers some advice for those of you with the same dream! Grazie, Matteo!
Name: Matteo Flamigni
Occupation: Telemetry engineer, Team Fiat Yamaha – Valentino Rossi
Years in the occupation: 15
Career Summary: I started in World Superbike in 1994. Back then there were only a few parameters to check. It has gotten more and more complicated over the years. In 1997 I moved to support Luca Caldora in the 500cc class. In 1998 I supported Honda pilot Alex Barros. In 1999 I supported Loris Capirossi in the 250 class. From 2000 to 2003 I supported Max Biaggi (recall that 2002 was the first year for four-stroke Grand Prix machines). In 2003 I was on Marco Melandri’s team, and in 2004 I switched to Valentino’s team and I’ve been there ever since.
First motorbike: Honda XL 600. I purchased a Yamaha when I started working for the team – my current bike is a TDM 900.
Favourite part of the job: Analyzing the data and talking to the rider trying to improve the bike. The bikes are getting faster every year because of the data we collect from the previous season. It sets a good baseline so that are already starting from a good position.
Least favourite part of the job: None! I love my job. This has been my life and my family is very supportive of what I do. They like Vale and racing.
How many years of training does it take to perform your job at this level?
The best thing to do is to go to college and study technical subjects such as mechanical, electrical, or automotive engineering. After that, start supporting riders at the local level, which is how I started. A friend of mine asked me to assist him with his racing effort because he needed help and I’ve been doing it ever since. Also, in addition to training and starting locally, the best thing you can do is to have an open mind. This is my philosophy. If you think you know everything, you’re screwed. You can learn from everybody on the team; the rider, technicians, the tyre specialist, everyone. You get something new every day. Be open to everything and learning. You also have to be able to work with people that you don’t know very well at first and you have to be able to work well with different personalities and cultures. We have team members from Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The team is great and we all work together very well.
What is more important to you, telemetry data from a MotoGP test or race?
Whatever sets the fastest lap time!
What advice do you have for engineers and related people who want to get into racing at this level?
Start working within your local racing series. In terms of years of experience, five years would be a good amount.
