MotoGP confirms new pit lane entry rule after Marc Marquez fallout

MotoGP has announced a new pit lane entry rule that makes it very clear what riders can, and can’t, get away with following an incident involving Marc Marquez in April. 

The nine-time world champion exploited a grey area in the rule book when he crashed at the final corner during the Jerez sprint, only to remount his bike before cutting across the grass and the white pit entry lines.

After entering the pit lane, Marquez changed from his damaged bike to his second machine, which was set up for wet conditions. The factory Ducati star would go on to win the sprint; however, the new rule will make results like this much harder going forward.

Marquez did not break any rules when he crossed the track and entered the pit lane following a trip across the grass. However, his actions were considered unfair by some within the paddock. In light of what happened in Jerez, MotoGP made a small adjustment to the wording around the pit lane entry rules ahead of the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, before making an official tweak to the regulation prior to the Hungarian GP this weekend.

An official statement from the Grand Prix Commission said:

“The Pit Lane Procedures have been formally updated in the regulations, in line with the Race Direction pitlane entry protocol issued ahead of the French Grand Prix. 

“In all track sessions including races, the only permitted pit lane entry and exit is by using the designated entry/exit point and route, defined by the broken white line, following the pit lane entry road and crossing the designated pit lane entry timing point. In all cases the specific information issued by Race Direction for each circuit applies defining prohibited routes. In case the broken white line is not crossed or the full pit lane entry/exit road is not used, the Stewards may penalise as appropriate.”

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