MOTOGP WILDCARDS TO RETURN IN 2021
MotoGP wildcards to return in 2021 – Photo: LAT
Less than a week after the 2020 MotoGP season concluded at the Portimao circuit in Portugal, the commission has released some Sporting Regulation changes for the 2021 season which includes the return of MotoGP wildcards.
By DAN McCARTHY
Other items on the list include the effects of yellow flags, which caused controversy early in the 2020 season, as well as pit lane speeding.
The large MotoGP commission which comprises of more than a dozen members, from team owners, Dorna members, FIM members and race directors.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed worldwide ahead of the shortened and rescheduled 2020 MotoGP season, wildcard entries were canned, however they will return in 2021.
Next year all classes from MotoGP to Moto3 will be allowed to field wildcards, however each category can only run a maximum of two per class at each event.
As was previously the case for Moto2 and Moto3 wildcards they can only be considered when operated by an existing Moto3 team.
This means in the premier class we are likely to see test riders Cal Crutchlow, Stefan Bradl, Michele Pirro, Mika Kallio and Sylvain Guintoli appear in selected rounds.
Yellow flags were a controversial subject in 2020. The qualifying yellow flag rule was brought into the championship following the season opening event at Jerez when Suzuki rider Alex Rins and Aussie Jack Miller ended up in the gravel at the same time nearly injuring marshals.
From 2021 riders who see a yellow flag displayed are required to slow down to protect fallen riders and attending marshals.
The commission introduced into the regulations the current policy implemented by Race Direction, and from next year even in practice riders passing a yellow flag will simply have that lap time cancelled.
For 2021 the penalty for speeding in the pit lane during a race has been changed from a ride through penalty to 2x long lap penalties. However, the FIM Stewards have retained the right to impose further or different penalties for excessively high speed in the lane.
A tweak in appealing a penalty has also changed slightly, next year any person or body making a protest or appeal will now have their security deposit returned in the event that the protest or appeal is successful.
Usually after the season has concluded the commission votes on the best Grand Prix of 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the board decided to share the victory amongst venues.
Due to the disruption caused to the calendar no event was declared as the Best Grand Prix. Instead, a special trophy will be presented to the 10 circuits that hosted a round of the MotoGP season in 2020.
This will be awarded in recognition of the efforts that the venues made to support the Motorbike World Championships in such challenging times.
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