After Maverick Vinales who finished second in Barcelona at the beginning of September, this time there are no less than four drivers MotoGP who broke the regulations regarding the minimum front tire pressure, during the Indonesian Grand Prix in Mandalika.
The issue, we know it and we mentioned it this winter, but, after successive postponements until after the summer break, it is in place, even if the regulations, quite comprehensive, do not require respecting the minimum of 1,88 bars only during 30% of laps for the Sprint and 50% for the Grand Prix.
But with a track more than 60° at the start of the Indonesian GP and a soft front tire, four new MotoGP riders, or four teams to choose from, did not successfully pass the decryption of the recorded data and were judged in violation of regulations: Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) 5th, Alex Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) 10th, Raul Fernandez (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team) 13th and Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) 14th,
As we can see, there is not one manufacturer in particular who is concerned, even if there are three Aprilias out of the five notified. Because for the moment, on the first offense the drivers (and their team) are simply warned.
On the second offense, they risk a time penalty of three seconds, and it is therefore with this sword of Damocles that the 5 drivers concerned will have to end the season, considering themselves lucky since in the long term the regulations will evolve to lead to disqualifications. Note also that neither the pressures nor the penalties are currently quantified in the regulations, thus leaving the door open to any development deemed necessary...
2.4.4.9 Restrictions concerning tires
Tires must be used in accordance with the recommended parameters which are
agreed in consultation with the official tire supplier, the technical director and the organizers. Settings may include pressure, temperature, maximum revolutions per tire, time/temperature in heat blankets, or other usage guidelines, including whether allocated tires must be mounted and dismounted wheels only from the official tire supplier.
Teams must comply with requests from the Technical Director, his staff, and the official tire supplier, to check tire parameters at any time, which may include tire pressure and/or temperature data from the team. data logger.
The use of any device on the wheel to adjust tire pressure while on track is prohibited.
The use of tire air pressure sensors (TAPS) on all wheels, front and rear, is mandatory in MotoGP racing, including recording TAPS data at all times.
Any driver or team using tires outside of these operating parameters will be subject to penalties. The decision of the Technical Director, in consultation with the official tire supplier, will be final.
