Brave New World For MotoGP Announced
- Jun 26, 2015
- 2 min read
During the Argentine Grand Prix weekend Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta announced changes to the world championship he was promoting to the current manufacturers, the most notable of which being the proposed 'cash injection' for private teams.
Today (June 26th) Dorna and IRTA agreed to put these proposed changes into action from 2017 until at least 2021. These changes will see stability financially and technically in the MotoGP World Championship, securing the sports long-term future.
2017 regulations are as follows:
All six manufacturers (Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, Suzuki, Aprilia & KTM) must field two factory riders plus lease two bikes as satellite entries, with a maximum of four satellite bikes allowed should a privateer team decide that their current package is not suitable.
Dorna will pay €2.2million for these satellite bikes which will cover the cost of all parts, with teams paying the costs for crashes.
The grid will be at a minimum of 22 riders and a maximum of 24 riders, with Dorna reserving the right to buy out the 23rd and 24th placed spots. This is to ensure current MotoGP teams are supported properly. Dorna stated that they hope not to have to use this right.
The technical regulations from 2017-2021 will not change unless for a safety reason. (In 2016 all the grid will run the same electronics package). This aims to keep the grid as competitive as possible.
The calendar will remain at a minimum of 18 races with a maximum of 20 races. (Austria returns next year and Indonesia is in line to host a race in 2017)
This is tremendous news for the World Championship. 2015 has seen one of the most competitive grids in the sport's history and that is only set to continue into the next decade, with the potential for this agreement to be extended beyond 2021.
The full press conference transcript can be found here:
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