MotoGP: Tyre Pressure Monitoring System to be Introduced from British GP Onward Amidst Safety Concerns

MotoGP has announced that the long-awaited implementation of the divisive tyre pressure monitoring system will begin at the British Grand Prix. It became apparent in 2022 that several teams were taking advantage of a loophole in the regulations by using tyre pressures below the minimum allowed, prompting the FIA to create new rules for 2023. In 2023, riders and teams must use a minimum of 1.9 bar (27.6 psi) of front tyre pressure and 1.7 bar (24.7 psi) of rear tyre pressure. There have been multiple postponements of the implementation of this regulation this year in order to give the unified tyre pressure sensors additional time to undergo testing. The regulation will take effect for the British Grand Prix in Silverstone in August. Since this is a brand-new technology, we will only be monitoring the minimum front and rear pressures during the sprint race and the Grand Prix.

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MotoGP: Several Riders Voice Concerns

Riders will get progressive warnings and time penalties for breaking the law, starting at three seconds and increasing to six and twelve seconds, respectively. Once teams get used to the procedure, any rider found operating their tyres below the necessary pressures will be disqualified.

However, not everyone is on board with the new rules. Several riders voiced worries about the safety implications during February's preseason testing, most notably with regard to the front tyre pressures. As the season proceeded, further concerns surfaced, with several riders noting that they had trouble passing on the MotoGP motorcycles of the moment. It has been determined that increasing front tyre pressures were a contributory issue, highlighting the need to properly apply the new standards.

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MotoGP: How Will Tyre Pressure Rules be Implemented

Any rider who fails to maintain the required pressures for a predetermined number of laps in either the sprint or grand prix races will be disqualified from the next season's competition. However, due to the system's midseason implementation, a tiered penalty system will be used for the remainder of 2023. The first infraction results in a warning, the second in a time penalty of three seconds added to the rider's next race, and the third and fourth in penalties of six and twelve seconds, respectively.

The method will initially be in effect just in the premier class, excluding the Moto2, Moto3, and MotoE series, and will be strictly enforced only during sprint and grand prix meetings, and not during practice or qualifying.