In a major development ahead of the Michelin® Grand Prix of France, the Grand Prix Commission has announced a series of immediate rule changes across all MotoGP classes, aiming to simplify race procedures and improve fairness and clarity for teams, riders, and fans alike.
The decisions were made following a series of meetings throughout March and April involving key figures from the sport’s governing bodies: the FIM, IRTA, MSMA, and Dorna. Among those present were FIM President Jorge Viegas, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, IRTA Secretary Mike Webb, and Director of Technology Corrado Cecchinelli.
Effective immediately, any rider who leaves the starting grid before the warm-up lap—regardless of whether it’s for a technical issue or tyre change—must now begin the warm-up lap from pit lane, return to their original grid position, and serve a double long lap penalty during the race.
This change eliminates previous distinctions between technical and weather-related exits from the grid, promoting consistency and eliminating ambiguity.
“It is not possible to determine if a rider leaves the grid for a genuine technical problem or for a strategic reason. Therefore, the same penalty must apply across the board,” the Commission noted.
Riders who miss the warm-up lap altogether will continue to start from the pit lane, as per existing regulations. The limit of 10 riders starting from pit lane remains unchanged, but this rule applies solely to the race start and not the warm-up lap.
Injured Rider Testing Provision Introduced for MotoGP Class
Another key decision is the introduction of testing privileges for injured MotoGP riders, designed to help them regain physical readiness before returning to full competition.
To be eligible, a rider must have missed three or more consecutive events or been out for at least 45 consecutive days. The test must take place at an approved circuit and must not occur within eight weeks of a scheduled MotoGP event at the same track. A maximum of three sets of tyres may be used, drawn from the manufacturer’s test allocation.
This move is expected to provide a critical recovery pathway for top-level athletes without disrupting the competitive balance of the season.
No 2027 Spec Testing Allowed in 2025
In an effort to maintain regulatory stability, all manufacturers have mutually agreed not to begin testing 2027 specification machines during the 2025 season. Testing of next-generation bikes will only be permitted after 17 November 2025.
This ensures that development for future regulations will not interfere with the current championship battle or provide any team with an early advantage.
Moto2 and Moto3 Wildcard Limits Enforced
To maintain integrity and competitiveness in the lower classes, Moto2 and Moto3 riders will now be restricted to three wildcard appearances per season. Likewise, each team will also be limited to three wildcard entries annually.
The move is designed to encourage talented riders aiming for frequent participation to seek permanent entry, rather than relying on repeated wildcard slots.
Credit Photo. : MotoGP
