MotoGP Rules tweaked after Qatar MotoGP FIM meeting
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM CEO), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) in the presence of Javier Alonso (Dorna) and Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held on 27 March 2015 in Losail (Qatar), made the following decisions:
Effective 2015
Further to the decision made at the previous meeting concerning the procedure to be adopted when there is a change in climatic conditions after the riders have reached the grid after their sighting lap.
In the Moto3 and Moto2 classes, when a change in conditions leads to a start delayed procedure, the race distance will be reduced to 2/3 of the original race distance. This brings the procedure into line with that for restarted races in these classes.
Technical Regulations – MotoGP Rules
MotoGP Class Effective 2016
The number of engines that may be used in a season of up to 20 races is seven, with frozen specifications.
The minimum vehicle weight will be 157 kg.
The maximum fuel tank capacity will be 22 litres. (Already announced following the previous GPCÂ meeting).
Concerning the unified software to be used in 2016 the following decision was made:
a). The strategies of the 2016 unified software will be based on the present version, (2015 start of season version), of the Open Class software.
b). Starting from July 1st 2015 and until the end of 2016 season, if a change of the unified software is requested unanimously by Ducati, Honda and Yamaha, then the Organiser must adopt this modification, but the cost is the responsibility of the manufacturers.
c). Conversely, during the same period as above, if the Organiser wants to make a change to the unified software, this change must be approved unanimously by Ducati, Honda and Yamaha; otherwise the Organiser can’t update the software.
Concessions – MotoGP Class
All concessions granted to MotoGP class Manufacturers who have not won a race in dry conditions in 2013, 2014 or 2015 will continue to apply. However the criteria for losing concessions has been redefined and will be based on “Concession Points” calculated as follows.
First place 3 concession points
Second place 2 concession points
Third place 1 concession point
The effect of this will be:Â In 2015 a manufacturer achieving three Concession Points in dry races must immediately reduce fuel tank capacity from 24 litres to 22 litres.
(Note: the criteria for losing concessions concerning the use of Open class tyres and testing with contracted riders remains at three race wins in dry conditions).
In 2016 a manufacturer achieving six concession points in dry or wet conditions will immediately lose the right to test with contracted riders and will lose all concessions from the following season.
However, with effect from the 2016 season, any manufacturer who gains no concession points, (effectively meaning no podium places), will benefit from the full package of concessions in the following season.
