MotoGP has made a last-minute alteration to one of the most contentious new regulations in the series just days before the start of the 2024 season. Instead of facing disqualification, riders who breach the minimum tyre pressure rule will now receive a 16-second time penalty in the main event on Sunday.
The rule, which was introduced midway through the 2023 season, caused several race results to be changed in the latter part of the season. One notable incident occurred when Fabio Di Giannantonio, a racer for Gresini Ducati, was stripped of a podium finish at the final race of the year. The previous penalty system, which included escalating time penalties and a warning for first-time offenders, was set to be replaced with instant disqualification for the 2024 season. However, many riders on the grid expressed their concerns about the harshness of this punishment, considering that tyre pressures are influenced by various race circumstances beyond their control.
Under the revised regulations, penalized riders will still receive a valid race result, but with a 16-second penalty for a grand prix (reduced to eight seconds in a sprint). While this penalty makes it nearly impossible to remain competitive, it is worth noting that the minimum tyre pressure limit has been lowered. The critical front tyre pressure is now set at 1.80 bar, and adjustments can be made on a race-by-race basis.
Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro expressed his satisfaction with the lowered minimum pressure, stating that it would make their lives easier. He recalled the difficulties of constantly fighting to stay within the limit and facing penalties throughout the previous season. However, it is important to mention that MotoGP has also increased the percentage of laps riders must be above the minimum threshold in the main race, from 50% in 2023 to 60% now (with the 30% figure remaining for sprints).
The controversial rules regarding minimum pressures were implemented by Michelin last year despite objections from teams and riders. Michelin argued that some teams were intentionally starting races with low tyre pressure to compensate for the increase in pressure caused by riding behind another racer. This created a potentially dangerous situation and increased the risk of tyre failure at high speeds. However, riders believed that the dangers associated with running tyres at too high a pressure, such as a lack of front-end feeling leading to crashes, were greater than those of running them too low. They also noted the absence of significant cases where low tyre pressure caused dramatic and dangerous failures.
Since Michelin became the control tyre manufacturer in 2016, the series has undergone significant changes in terms of aerodynamics and ride height devices. However, Michelin’s technology has not kept pace with these developments. The company has been working on a new front tyre since 2019 but faced mixed results during extensive testing in the 2024 pre-season. Consequently, it is highly likely that the rules regarding minimum pressure will continue to be a significant factor in races until at least 2025.
Although disqualifications have been avoided, riders will still hope that the reduction in the minimum tyre pressure threshold provides some relief. Nevertheless, eight- and 16-second penalties remain detrimental to their chances of success over a race weekend. Several examples from previous races demonstrate the impact of penalties on riders’ positions, with some dropping from podium finishes to lower positions.
In conclusion, MotoGP has revised the penalty for breaching the minimum tyre pressure rule, opting for a time penalty instead of disqualification. While this change provides some leniency, riders still face significant penalties that could ruin their chances of a successful weekend. The controversy surrounding these rules persists, with riders expressing concerns about the dangers of running tyres at too high a pressure compared to running them too low. Michelin’s technology has struggled to keep up with the evolving demands of the series, and it is likely that the minimum pressure rules will remain influential in races for the foreseeable future.