MOTOGP TO INTRODUCE SAFETY CHANGES

FIM, the governing body for motorcycle racing, has announced a raft of safety changes, including an increase to the minimum age and the introduction of a grid cap in its feeder series.

Following the deaths of three teenagers in the junior ranks across feeder categories for both MotoGP and Superbike World Championship this season, a number of changes will be progressively rolled out over 2022 and 2023 in an effort to further minimise the risks associated with motorcycle racing.

The announcement was made following a meeting of the Permanent Bureau which comprises Dorna, the promoter of both MotoGP and WorldSBK, and the FIM on Friday in the lead up to this weekend’s MotoGP round at Misano.

Of the key announcements, the minimum age for riders across a number of categories will rise over 2022 and 2023.

Currently the minimum age for Moto2 and Moto3 riders is 16 but that will progressively rise to 18 over the next two seasons. Although a few exceptions in place for riders already in those categories and class champions on the pathway to MotoGP.

By 2023 a minimum age limit of 14 will be applied to all bike racing at Grand Prix-type circuits, which will applied to a number of junior development series including the Asia, British, European and Northern Talent Cups.

A limit on grid sizes will also see a maximum of 32 entrants across a number of development categories including FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship and the WorldSSP300 class of the Superbike World Championship.

In addition to changes the age limit and grid sizes, other safety measures will also see the compulsory use of airbags and a review of technologies to improve communication to riders.

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