Alright, petrolheads and MotoGP enthusiasts, gear up for the lowdown on the fresh updates hitting the tarmac in the 2024 season. As we rev our engines in anticipation of the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, let's dive into the latest twists and turns, brought to you by the official tyre maestros, Michelin.
These rubber wizards have been burning the midnight oil with manufacturers, concocting changes that'll add an extra layer of thrill to the upcoming MotoGP season. Hold onto your helmets; we're about to spill the beans on the new minimum tyre pressures that'll be dictating the pace on the tracks.
Just like in the 2023 season, these pressure rules are exclusive to the Tissot Sprint and the Grand Prix races. And, much like a Brit deciding when to use "u" in a word, the minimum pressures can vary from track to track, depending on the unique demands of each circuit.
But fear not, racing aficionados, because some things haven't changed. Your lap is still considered compliant based on the average pressure of all the readings, reaching the agreed minimum. It's like the unwritten code of racing – you've got to meet the baseline to play the game.
Now, let's talk numbers. In 2024, the minimum pressures have been nudged downwards, and the lap compliance game has a slight twist. Riders now need to stick to the minimum pressures for a minimum of 60% of the laps in any race distance over 15 laps. In the Sprint, it's a breezy 30%.
But what if a race gets the red flag treatment and has to start anew? For races spanning 7 to 15 laps, it's a 30% compliance rule, just like the Sprint. However, if it's a six-lap sprint or shorter, both front and rear tyres need to independently comply for at least two consecutive readings. And guess what? A reading is taken every second – talk about split-second precision!
Hold your horses, or should we say bikes? These tyre pressure regulations take a back seat in flag-to-flag races, and the rulebook only kicks in when both tyres are slick.
Now, let's talk penalties – the not-so-fun part of breaking the rules. The FIM MotoGP Stewards are rolling out a new set of penalties for 2024. In the Sprint, it's an eight-second time penalty. Go overboard in the Grand Prix race, and you'll be slapped with a 16-second penalty.
So, as we rev up our engines and prepare for the thunderous roars on the track, keep an eye on those tyre pressures and steer clear of penalties. It's going to be a wild ride in the 2024 MotoGP season!
