MotoGP: News on flag-to-flag and restrictions on Moto2 and Moto3 tests

The Grand Prix Commission composed of Carmelo Ezpeleta (CEO Dorna), Ignacio Verneda (CEO FIM), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) in the presence of Javier Alonso (Dorna) and Mike Trimby (IRTA, meeting secretary) in a meeting held on 20 August in Brno decided the following:

Technical regulations – Effect from the 2017 season

Moto3™, engine and gearbox

The engines and gearboxes will no longer be sold to the participating teams but will be supplied under a lease agreement and ownership will be with the manufacturer.

Manufacturer requirements in the Moto3™ class

Manufacturers participating in the Moto3™ class must provide, if requested, the bikes and spare parts for the 14 riders nominated by the selection committee. However, each manufacturer is required to provide engines and spare parts for a minimum of six drivers as a minimum condition to participate in this competition.

Post-qualification – Technical Check

The checks will be carried out by the Technical Director, when non-compliance with the minimum weight or maximum noise has been the cause of accidents in the qualifying session or in the race. This includes situations such as loss of fluid or body parts affecting weight and damage or loss of exhaust components affecting noise levels.

Sports Regulations – Effective from the 2017 season

Moto3™ and Moto2™ test restrictions

Due to the reduction in the number of days in the official winter testing programme, tests in the period between the last Grand Prix and the end of November will no longer be taken into account in the maximum number of tests that any single driver will be able to do.

MotoGP class motorcycle change “flag to flag”

For safety reasons and to reduce the number of people in the pit lane during bike changes, each rider can be assisted by a maximum of four mechanics. Such mechanics must wear an approved helmet, which will also help identify authorized personnel. To avoid the possibility of an accidental start, a mechanic can hold the clutch lever, but the gear can only be engaged by the driver. Violation of this regulation will result in automatic disqualification.