A series of regulation changes affecting the MotoGP World Championship were announced by FIM President Vito Ippolito and Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta at the MotoGP Official Test in Jerez, with some of the modifications taking place during the 2009 season.
Messrs. Ippolito and Ezpeleta held a press conference for journalists covering this weekend’s action in southern Spain, explaining decisions made by the FIM, MSMA and Dorna.
In mid-February, in response to the withdraw of Kawasaki and growing pressure on the remaining MotoGP manufacturers to reduce costs, the Grand Prix Commission announced six immediate rule changes for the 2009 season.
Those changes, which were aimed at lowering maintenance and running costs, consisted of: The removal of Friday morning practice whilst reducing the three remaining sessions from one hour to 45 minutes; a maximum of 5 engines for the final 8 races; banning of ceramic composite brakes; banning of launch control; banning of electronic suspension and only two post-race tests during the season.
“The first change is about the use of the engines, as you know,” said Ippolito. “Now a rider can use five engines for the final seven races [after the cancellation of Hungary], from Brno to Valencia of this year. A rider can then use six engines for the whole of next year, 2010.
“The teams and manufacturers also agreed to reduce the tests. This year and next year we will have only eight days of testing.
The penalty for breaking the MotoGP engine change rule will be a loss of 10 points.
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