MotoGP regulations validate a test for the return of injured pilots

The MotoGP regulations were modified on April 29, following a vote of the Grand Prix committee which met on the sidelines of the GP of Spain.

The big novelty relates to the way in which the titular pilots will be able to assess their ability to return from injury, in this case by carrying out a test on the handlebars of their MotoGP in order to estimate their recovery in real conditions.

The pilots concerned are those which would have missed three consecutive or more events, whether they are Grand Prix or official tests of more than a day, or those who have not been able to take part in such an event in the last 45 days in the same season (that is to say between the first official pre-season test and the last Grand Prix). It is specified that a participation in an event is recorded as soon as the pilot has passed at least once the output line of the pitlane.

The new rule provides that these pilots will be allowed to carry out a test before making their return, without this being an obligation. This therefore responds to the request filed by Aprilia when Jorge Martín was preparing to make his return after the injuries suffered during the offseason, an exceptional request which had not obtained the unanimity of the manufacturers to be approved immediately, but which led to a debate on the subject.

A framework was defined for these tests. These can only take place on the circuits authorized for each manufacturer according to its concession category and never in the eight weeks preceding a Grand Prix on the circuit in question. The number of tires used will also count in the team test allowance, with a maximum of three authorized trains.

In the case of Jorge Martín as for the pilots concerned by the same type of convalescence in the past, no test could take place before its return to the track as part of a Grand Prix. The world champion had simply had to pay the compulsory medical examination to take part in the tests, then in Losail races, before seriously injuring himself again. The new rule will avoid convalescent drivers to join their opponents without being completely certain of being able to control their MotoGP.