Michelin and MotoGP have announced significant changes to the penalties related to tire pressure regulations for the upcoming season. Last season saw the introduction of a new tire pressure monitoring system, which came with a set of penalties for not meeting the minimum tire pressure requirements during both the Sprint Race and the Grand Prix. Initially, these penalties were relatively lenient to allow riders and teams to adjust to the new regulations, but by the end of the season, stricter penalties, including disqualifications, were being enforced for repeated infractions.
With the Qatar Grand Prix marking the start of the new season, MotoGP has introduced an important update to these regulations. While the minimum pressures may still vary depending on the circuit, and the average of all readings for each rider must meet the established minimum, the approach to penalties has been revised.
This year, the minimum pressure requirements have been adjusted downwards, and riders are required to maintain at least 60% above the minimum pressures for races longer than fifteen laps. For Sprint Races, this requirement is set at 30%. These rules do not apply to flag-to-flag races.
Additionally, in the event of a race restart, the percentages will be adjusted based on the number of laps remaining. If fewer than six laps are left, the pressures in both tires must meet the requirements in at least two readings, taken every second. Most notably, the penalty of disqualification has been removed. Instead, the maximum penalty in a Sprint Race will be eight seconds, while in the Grand Prix, the penalty time is doubled to 16 seconds.
This update to the tire pressure penalties represents a significant shift in how MotoGP is addressing the issue, aiming to balance the enforcement of regulations with the realities of racing conditions and strategies.