The minimum pressure for the front tyre in MotoGP has led to penalties for some riders in 2023, despite becoming mandatory only halfway through the season. Speculation suggests that next year, the penalty might escalate to immediate disqualification for the rider after the first offense. Carlos Ezpeleta, Dorna’s sporting director, provided clarifications on the matter, which has divided opinions – particularly among the riders who are critical of this rule.
In an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com, the director emphasized that the disqualification penalty hasn’t been confirmed. He also stressed that various motor racing championships have rules regarding tyre pressure: ‘It hasn’t been confirmed or announced that disqualification will be the immediate penalty. Tyre pressure rules have been an integral part of racing for several years and exist in various motorsports. I believe Michelin is the best tyre supplier, and we must have a lot of respect for them because they are the experts’.
Ezpeleta later recalled that this was a necessary measure discussed by teams for safety reasons: ‘The issue of minimum tyre pressure was suggested by both manufacturers and Michelin for safety reasons. Unfortunately, it became a sensitive problem as several riders and teams were using very low pressures in an unsafe manner, and we had to introduce a minimum limit’.
However, the Spanish director doesn’t rule out adjustments to the rules: ‘We’ll have to speak with Michelin to see if it’s possible to lower this target [currently at 1.88 bar], which, of course, still needs to be safe and within which riders feel somewhat more comfortable. Small changes in tire pressure can make a big difference in bikes. The riders and bikes are so good, the competition is so fierce that we want to discuss with Michelin about lowering this tire pressure target’.