Various revisions to the procedure of a weather-affected MotoGP race start to avoid a repeat of the Argentina Grand Prix situation will come into effect from the next round at Mugello.
During this year's race at Termas de Rio Hondo, all bar Pramac's Jack Miller went to the grid on wet tyres, but retreated to pitlane for their dry bikes en mass just moments before the start.
This prompted a delay and a discussion on the grid between race officials and team representatives, which resulted in the entire grid from second backwards being placed six rows back from Miller, in an attempt to keep within rules regarding starting the warm-up lap from pitlane.
Miller's headstart only lasted a handful of corners, and he eventually finished fourth in a race his call to go for slicks at the start should have likely netted him the victory.
In a bid to avoid a repeat of this, while also keeping the start in similar conditions safe, the Grand Prix Commission has proposed a number of changes which will take effect after this weekend's French Grand Prix.
Should a rider change their tyre, depending on the conditions, prior to the warm-up lap now, they will be able to take up their original grid slot, but must serve a ride-through penalty to simulate the time those who will pit during the race for their second bikes would lose.
If a rider has to leave the grid to switch bikes due to a technical issues, the original penalty of starting at the back of the grid will apply without the need for a ride-through if they haven't changed tyre.
If a rider pits at the end of the warm-up lap for a different tyre, they will have to start from pit-lane and serve a ride-through penalty.
In a move to avoid a mass start from pitlane, should more than 10 riders need to start from the pits, the race will be suspended and a new start procedure will be applied.
If fewer than 10 riders are starting from the pits, each rider will line-up single file as directed by an official, and will be unable to overtake until they have reached a dotted line.
Also revised is the procedure for when rain arrives while the riders are sat on the grid. Instead of a 'delayed start' board being shown, a 'rain on grid procedure' signal will be given, which means a 'quick restart' will put into effect.
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