MotoGP Rules of Procedure: Race Commission also imposes marketing penalties

It’s hardly news that Grand Prix riders – and in particular those in the premier class – cannot attend every MotoGP PR event; what is news, however, is that they will soon face severe penalties for failing to do so. This is laid down in new rules which were communicated to the teams behind closed doors during the Australian Grand Prix.

Riders face suspensions from practice sessions and even grid penalties should they fail to attend mandatory promotional events during a race weekend. The updated rules were sent to the teams in a confidential email dispatched on Friday by the International Race Team Association (IRTA) and viewed by the motorsport platform ‘The Race’.

It is no coincidence that these clearly worded rules were finalised shortly after the Japanese Grand Prix. A minor row had erupted at Motegi when Marc Márquez refused, earlier this month, to take part in a go-kart race on Sunday morning ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. Initially, the world champion had sent a stand-in, a ploy that was uncovered and for which he was reprimanded by the organisers.

Márquez subsequently emphasised that whilst he understood the importance of developing the sport – an issue that has come increasingly into focus thanks to the new owners, Liberty Media – he believed that motorbike racing must remain his primary and overriding objective. “There’s a certain limit. Of course I understand the entertainment aspect, but we’re fighting for the championship – we’re not here to mess about or take part in go-kart races. After the warm-up, I needed ice [for my injured right shoulder], and someone had the idea that it would be cool to send in a lookalike, so that’s what we did. I was criticised for it, but in moments like that you have to be selfish and give your best when it counts – and that’s in the races,” said the multiple world champion.

In Motegi wurde für die Fans ein Kartrennen inszeniert, Marc Marquez fehlte

Foto: Gold and Goose

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The communication issued via the team association is intended to ensure that the “championship’s obligations towards fans, commercial partners and organisers are met”, and, according to the email, is being introduced after “repeated breaches have made it necessary to introduce a clear and transparent escalation procedure”.

Failure to attend comes at a cost: penalties range from warnings to grid penalties

What sounds confusing means that drivers will receive an official warning even for the first instance of failing to attend the press conference on Thursday, the pre-race promotional activities, the drivers’ parade on Sunday morning, or the compulsory 10-minute participation in autograph sessions or the Hero Walk event, will receive an official warning.

A fine of 5,000 euros is imposed for a second offence. This rises to 10,000 euros for a third offence and to 15,000 euros for a fourth offence; furthermore, the case will be referred to the FIM MotoGP Race Commissioners – a body whose role has hitherto been limited to imposing sporting sanctions on the racetrack – who will issue an official warning. In the event of a fifth offence, time will be deducted from a rider’s practice session – whilst the Race Commission will impose a grid penalty for a sixth offence.

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Foto: Gold and Goose

Exceptions apply to riders with ‘injuries or the need for medical attention’, as well as to those who have prior PR commitments to their teams – however, the document emphasises that arriving late or leaving events early will be treated as non-attendance.

It is expressly stated that the new approach ‘is in line with professional sport in the broadest sense, where participation in official media, promotional and fan engagement activities forms part of an athlete’s duties – and where clear procedures exist for penalising repeated breaches’.