The new MotoGP restart rule, recently introduced by the FIM, has generated a lot of discussion in the paddock. But for Jorge Martin, its influence on the course of the races will be limited in dry conditions, while potentially becoming decisive in tricky conditions, particularly on a wet track.
Amendment specifies that, " in order to minimize the exposure of our track marshals to danger "Any motorcycle stopped after a fall will now have to be pushed to the service lane before it can be restarted.
In other words: if the engine is still running, the driver can restart immediately; if the engine is off, the loss of time will be much greater, making any resumption of the race much more complicated.
A measure that applies to all sessions: practice, qualifying, sprints and Grand Prix.
Present last Thursday at the team launch ApriliaMartin took a pragmatic approach. I think that's perfectly normal.If the motorcycle is broken down, there's no point in coming back. »
For the Spaniard, the rule will not disrupt dry racing: If the motorcycle is still in working order, you can still earn points. »
He draws on his own experience to illustrate his point. Martin He cites the Mandalika 2024 Sprint, where he crashed on the first lap before quickly getting back on his bike: immediate return to the track, climbing from last place to 10th position.
The result was insufficient to score points in a sprint, but would have been more than enough over the distance of a Grand Prix, where points are awarded up to 15th place. In this type of scenario, the new rule would have made no difference.
Jorge Martin's verdict: safety first
Regarding qualifications, Martin believes the measure is almost neutral: Normally, if you fall, you simply return to the stands with the scooter to retrieve the other motorcycle »
In other words, the drivers are already not looking to start again with the same machine, which makes the rule largely theoretical in this context.
It is on a wet track that George Martin identifies a real potential impact. "I think this rule could pose a problem during races on a wet track. Even if you crash twice and have to restart the motorcycle, you can sometimes still finish 12th. »
Under these conditions: the gaps are smaller, the falls more frequent, and the possibility of restarting quickly can make the difference between points… or nothing at all.
This new rule is in line with instructions already tightened at the end of last season, notably the ban on drivers restarting after a crash in the last three minutes of qualifying, even if the engine is still running.
Objective: to reduce yellow flags, which automatically cancel fast laps in the affected areas.
Despite the additional constraints, the world champion remains positive about crash.net : " but in general, I think it's good for safety »
A conclusion free of controversy, consistent with the approach of Martin : adapting the regulations without distorting the sport, while protecting those who work on the sidelines.
