2016 MotoGP Rule Changes

After some epic battles between factory Yamaha teammates Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, the 2015 MotoGP Championship was settled by a mere five points. Lorenzo earned his third MotoGP title, and enters 2016 as the defending champ.

With the already-historic 2015 MotoGP now in the history books, the Grand Prix Commission has officially announced a full list of rule and guideline changes. Let’s take a look at all the updated rule changes across all classes – MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3.

Re-Starting Interrupted Races:

In an effort to reduce the time taken to restart an interrupted race, a new practice has been approved for all classes (MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3). This will involve a shorter time spent in pit lane before the new sighting lap and a significantly shorter countdown on the grid, prior to the warm up lap. Engines will not be stopped and only one mechanic per rider will be permitted onto the grid.

In the Moto3 and Moto2 classes, when there is more than one race interruption, the length of the restarted race will always be 2/3 of the previous race, with a minimum of five laps. Essentially, if the first restarted race was 2/3 of the original race distance then the distance of the second restarted race would be 2/3 of that distance – always with a minimum of five laps. In situations where a restarted race has been interrupted after less than five laps then the distance for the next race will be determined by Race Direction, of course with a minimum of five laps.

Track Familiarization:

For all classes, the regulation has been amended to ensure that a rider will be using a machine of the same capacity as the respective MotoGP class that the rider is in. However, the motorcycle that they familiarize themselves on the track with must be a standard production road-homologated machine.

Penalties for Using Engines over Allocation:

In the Moto3 and MotoGP classes, where more than one extra engine is taken at a single event, then penalties for the second and any subsequent extra engines will be carried forward to the next events. In other words, now more than ever, teams will have to protect their engines.

Rider’s Safety Equipment:

Following consultation with all major suppliers of helmets, leathers, boots, etc., new regulations have been approaved covering the specifications of equipment used by riders. Quality control procedures and testing were also approved.

MotoGP Class Tires:

New allocations of Michelin tires, the official MotoGP tire supplier have been stipulated. Riders will now be permitted to use a maximum of 22 tires (10 front and 12 rear).

For wet tires, the allocation is a maximum of 7 front and 7 rear.

Riders will now also have the option of an intermediate tire with a maximum allocation of 3 front and 3 rear.

Engine Allocations – MotoGP Class:

It has already been agreed that manufacturers can homologate three different engine specifications which may be used by different riders during the season. It has now been agreed that manufacturers who lose “concessions” may homologate additional engine specifications for the first season after losing those concessions. However, the maximum number of different specifications is related to the number of Satellite teams being supplied.

The formula to be used to calculate this number is: One Factory team + 2 Satellite teams = 3 different specifications One Factory team + 3 Satellite teams = 4 different specifications One Factory team + 4 Satellite teams = 5 different specifications



MotoGP Class – Effective Immediately:

Previous regulations made frequent reference to “Open” and “Factory” classes and machine types. All such references will now be removed.

Moto2 Class Regulations:

Team will be able to refer to the FIM website to check a list of approved dataloggers and sensors. The regulations concerning throttle control has been clarified to specify that the control valve must be exclusively controlled by mechanical means – that means no ride-by-wire and it’ll utilize a tradition twist-grip and cable.

Moto3 Class Regulations:

Regulations already exist which define which chassis parts are “performance parts” and need homologation. The regulations have been modified to state that only homologated parts can be used at events.

Only the oil provided by the official supplier may be used in all parts of the engine, including the crankcase, gearbox and clutch.

Official Fuel Supplier for Moto3 and Moto2:

The appointment of the total/Elf company as the official, exclusive supplier of fuel was approved.

Medical code:

An updated and revised medical code, produced by the FIM in consultation with other MotoGP medical staff, was approved.

2016 MotoGP Rule Changes – Conclusion

That’s quite a lot to take in — but some very interesting changes to the already existing compulsory new rules that have created quite a bit of interest as of late. Of course, as new developments regarding the premier racing league come out, Ulitimate MotroCycling will share them with you.

Share your thoughts on how you think some of these rule changes might impact the year down below!