P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Luca Marini predicts pre-race MotoGP bike swaps will become more frequent under revised penalties.
Pre-race bike swaps are becoming more common in MotoGP due to revised penalty rules, aimed at simplifying procedures for changing bikes before the start.
The changes were implemented after confusion at COTA regarding the correct protocol for leaving the grid for bike switches.
The distinction between leaving the grid for a tyre change or technical issue has been removed, with penalties reduced to a double long-lap penalty for switching to a different tyre type before the race.
During the French Grand Prix, riders faced unpredictable weather conditions, leading to multiple bike changes before the race began.
Johann Zarco’s decision not to switch bikes on the sighting lap proved advantageous as weather conditions favored riders on wet tires, ultimately leading to his victory.
The revised penalty system, with double long-lap penalties instead of ride-through penalties, has made it more appealing for riders to change bikes before the race.
Overall, the new regulations have brought clarity and ease to the process of pre-race bike swaps in MotoGP.
