– The MotoGP has reacted to the events at the Spanish Grand Prix and clarified the rules regarding pit lane entry. At the end of April, Marc Marquez caused a much-discussed precedent in the Jerez sprint.
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At that time, the Ducati factory rider crashed in the final corner as rain began. Marquez then picked up his bike again, waited until all riders had passed, and then rode across the grass into the pit lane.
With this action, he did not violate the regulations, which is why there was no investigation by the race stewards. Marquez changed bikes at the right time due to the crash and subsequently won the sprint.
After Jerez, the MotoGP teams demanded a clarification of the regulations. The Grand Prix Commission finally dealt with this issue. It is composed of members from all relevant bodies.
A statement from the Grand Prix Commission reads: “The pit lane procedure has been formally updated in the regulations, in accordance with the Race Direction protocol issued before the French GP.”
“In all sessions, including races, the only permitted entry and exit to the pit lane is the use of the designated entry and exit point and the designated route, which is defined by the dashed white line.”
A maneuver like the one Marquez performed in Jerez is therefore no longer permitted: “In all cases, the specific information from Race Direction for each track, which defines prohibited routes, applies.”
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“If the dashed white line is not crossed or the full pit lane entry and exit route is not used, the race stewards may impose appropriate penalties.”
The new procedure is also explicitly stated in the Race Direction information, which is published before each weekend and addresses specific characteristics of the respective track.
It states: “Any rider who crashes after the dashed white line of the pit entry, while the engine is still running, should, if possible, complete another lap and not enter the pit lane.”
“Entering the pit lane at this point behind the dashed white line can be penalized in all sessions, in practice and in the race.”
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“Riders who crash after the dashed line of the pit entry and whose engine stalls must follow the instructions of the marshals and be brought behind the first safety line – either towards the service road or towards the pit entry, depending on the instructions.”
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