Thanks. I wonder what AT microphones are used, and what pickup pattern. The array is essentially a direct extension of IRT-cross (a 4 channel quad horizontal-plane array for ambient recording) to 8 channels with height. IRT-cross specifies 20cm between all adjacent pairs with cardioids and 14cm with supercardioids. In turn, one can think of IRT-cross as a "double DIN" arrangement, and it does appear from the photo in the article that any two adjacent microphones are close to a DIN arrangement. Sure enough, consulting the improved PAS table, a 90 degree SRA results from cardioids spaced 20cm / 8", or supercards spaced 12cm / 5".
It perhaps says something about why ambisonic mics are not an optimal solution for surround envelopment in that MotoGP doesn't simply use available and compact Sennheiser or Rode ambisonic microphones for this, or more-likely, the decision was based in practical reasons of avoiding the need to live-stream decode ambisonic A-format from those microphones into the desired broadcast surround format. I assume the latter, since I'm not sure this AT array really spaces the microphones far enough apart to achieve really good envelopment if that were the true goal. I think credible envelopment in the face of practical constraints is the real goal here - seemingly confirmed by this statement in the article: "designed to be lightweight and small enough not just for discreet placement in a field of play..".