MotoGP confirms short-season engine numbers
With the disrupted 2020 MotoGP season set to be slashed from a planned 20-rounds to a predicted 10-12 events, the engine change limits will be reduced accordingly.
Since the exact number of rounds possible this year is still unclear, the Grand Prix Commission has agreed two new sets of MotoGP engine-change rules, depending on if there are up to 11 races this season, or up to 14.
With the disrupted 2020 MotoGP season set to be slashed from a planned 20-rounds to a predicted 10-12 events, the engine change limits will be reduced accordingly.
Since the exact number of rounds possible this year is still unclear, the Grand Prix Commission has agreed two new sets of MotoGP engine-change rules, depending on if there are up to 11 races this season, or up to 14.
A statement explained: 'Even though the FIM, IRTA, MSMA and Dorna are optimistic about restarting the Championship, it’s still uncertain how many events it will be possible to hold in 2020. For this reason it has been unanimously approved that the MotoGP Class engine allocation would be decided... before publication of the revised calendar and would be per-event as follows:
| Revised 2020 MotoGP engine change regulations | ||
| Remaining Events on 2020 Calendar (Qatar excluded) | Engine Allocaton per Rider: Non-Concessions | Engine Allocaton per Rider: Concessions |
| Up to 11 events | 4 | 6 |
| Up to 14 events | 5 | 7 |
Similarly, for Moto3 (which, like Moto2, was able to hold its season-opener in Qatar) the revised number of engine changes allowed this season will be:
| Revised 2020 Moto3 engine change regulations | |
| Total Events on the 2020 Calendar (Qatar included) | Engine Allocation Per Rider |
| 12-14 | 4 |
| 14-18 | 5 |
The Grand Prix Commission has also temporarily banned private Moto2 and Moto3 testing.
The following considerations prompted this decision:
'With team income being significantly reduced, a ban on testing for all riders will level the playing field between those teams that might have better funding and those that might just be surviving on the monthly subsidy payments.
'Availability of circuits is going to be even more limited than normal and may be subject to government restrictions. Furthermore, travel restrictions in Europe and around the World, still vary between countries meaning that only some teams might be permitted to move with vehicles and staff to a test. Most of the travel restrictions seem to be applicable until, at least, the end of June.
'FIM, IRTA and Dorna are hoping to have a significant number of events, hopefully starting in July. These events will be condensed into a short period of time meaning that, in any case, there are limited days available for testing once racing is resumed.
'It is the intention of Dorna to hold additional test sessions, for all classes, during the week of the first event.
'Dunlop activities are currently limited with many key staff being furloughed. They have already indicated that they will not be able to provide a service at private tests.'
