MotoGP rule change forbids riders from remounting after late qualifying falls

A minor rules change could have a major impact on the way grids shape up

MotoGP has introduced a regulations tweak designed to reduce the impact of late yellow flags in timed sessions.

Under the new rules, which will come into effect at this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, riders may not attempt to rejoin qualifying sessions if they fall during the final three minutes.

The same will apply to the Friday afternoon Practice session, which determines the riders who progress directly to Qualifying 2 on Saturday.

The development comes in the wake of Alex Rins’ prolonged effort to resume qualifying in Q2 at Mandalika earlier this month. Having dropped his Yamaha late in both the lap and the session, his ongoing presence in the gravel trap meant rivals were unnecessarily impacted by a lengthy yellow flag.

Late falls in timed sessions are an almost everyday occurrence on MotoGP weekends, with riders often having to abandon fast laps as a result. Minimising the yellow flag time via the rules tweak is a welcome development in principle, although there may be potential for controversy in terms of interpretation and implementation.

Jack Miller crashed in Practice in Japan

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

In another small adjustment to the rules, riders have been instructed not warm up their tyres by means of zig-zagging in the pitlane.

Also in the interests of safety, riders will now be expected to indicate their intention to pit by means of a leg signal.

Speaking about the zig-zagging rule, factory Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo said the only major challenge would be breaking the habit.

“They felt it was unsafe but I’ve done that for 15 years and nothing really happened. But you know maybe there is a reason. The problem is I’ve done that for 15 years, so maybe sometimes I will do it but just because it’s a routine.

“These are a few things that changed that I don’t really agree with, but it’s not a problem for me,” he added.