MotoGP abandons disqualification for riders breaking tyre pressure rule
Last year introduced a new minimum tyre pressure requirement for riders in 30% of sprint races and 50% of grand prix events, enforced from the British Grand Prix onward after the development of the new Tyre Pressure Management System.
Penalties for breaking this rule started with a warning for the first offense, followed by a three-second time penalty, with plans for disqualification in 2024 for repeated violations.
This season, the extreme disqualification measure has been replaced with time penalties to be added at the race’s conclusion.
During the sprint on Saturday, an extra eight seconds penalty will be applied, while Sunday’s violation in the grand prix will result in a 16-second penalty.
Michelin, the sole tyre supplier, introduced the tyre pressure limits for safety reasons, with compliance monitoring starting at the first grand prix but no penalties until the Spanish GP.
The penalties were enforced from Silverstone onwards, with Maverick Vinales being the first penalized in Barcelona, and Fabio Di Giannantonio losing a podium at Valencia for a repeated offense.
After riders’ dissatisfaction with the front tyre pressure, Michelin agreed to lower it slightly from 1.88 bar to 1.8 bar, with riders now required to adhere to this for 60% of a grand prix.
