MotoGP tightens up track limits for 2021 with pressure sensors
MotoGP has tightened up track limits for the 2021 season, with a new pressure sensor system installed at circuits to more accurately police transgressions.
The fundamental rule surrounding track limits has not changed as such for 2021, but the policing has become stricter.
Last season riders could go one wheel off circuit onto the painted run-off area and still keep their lap times, while both wheels off-track resulted in that sector – and ultimately the lap – being cancelled after a review from Race Direction.
But the new pressure sensor system has removed the need to check cameras to judge a track limits transgression, with a rider having their lap deleted even if they dip one wheel off track.
The idea behind this is to make judgements on track limits fairer for all.
"The track limit regulations stay the same, but what we've been working on during last year was an upgraded system to detect track limits," MotoGP race director Mike Webb told motogp.com.
"Dorna time keeping has been working on this all year. We've got a new system that has pressure sensors outside of the kerbs, so we can detect very accurately when a rider has gone out of track limits.
"So, the rule stays the same, but because the system is actuated a little differently than the cameras we used before, it means for the riders if they go out of track limits it means immediately it's signalled out of track limits.
"In the past we had to look at a camera image and make a judgement. Now it's just in or out, it's very accurate.
"The difference for the riders means that now one wheel out is out. In the past it must be two wheels in the green. There's no more of that judgement, out is out. It's more accurate, it means it's fairier.
"So, the rule is the same but the judgement of tracks limits is more precise."
Currently, if a rider exceeds track limits three times they are given a warning during a race, with a fifth time resulting in a long lap penalty.
Riders are also forced to drop a position should they exceed track limits on the final lap of a race, which robbed Jorge Martin of a victory in the Moto2 Styrian GP.
Related video
Riders keen on a MotoGP version of Drive to Survive
MotoGP on TV today – How can I watch qualifying for the Qatar GP?
Why Ducati holds all the power in its MotoGP rider dilemma
OPINION: The French Grand Prix looks to have made Ducati’s decision on its factory team line-up simpler, as Enea Bastianini stormed to his third win of the campaign and Jorge Martin crashed out for a fifth time in 2022. But, as Ducati suggests to Motorsport.com, it remains in the strongest position in a wild rider market
The seismic aftershock of Suzuki's decision to leave MotoGP
Suzuki's sudden decision to leave the MotoGP World Championship at the end of the season has acted as a stirring element in a market that had already erupted. We analyse what this means for the grid going into 2023
How the real Ducati began to emerge in MotoGP's Spanish GP
Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP bike has had a tough start to life and the expected early-season title charge from Francesco Bagnaia did not materialise. But the Spanish Grand Prix signalled a turning point for both the GP22 and Bagnaia, as the 2021 runner-up belatedly got his season underway after a straight fight with Fabio Quartararo
How praise for Honda's MotoGP bike has given way to doubt
In a little over two months, Honda has gone from setting the pace in MotoGP testing with its new RC213V prototype to being at a crossroads - caused by the discrepancy in its riders' feedback. After a Portuguese GP that underwhelmed, serious questions are now being asked of Honda in 2022
Why Quartararo's win was vital not only for his title hopes
Fabio Quartararo got his MotoGP title defence off the ground in the Portuguese Grand Prix as a dominant first win of 2022 rocketed him to the top of the standings. While a significant result in terms of his title hopes, it has come at an even more important time in terms of his 2023 contract negotiations
The MotoGP rookie fighting two fronts in his debut year
Darryn Binder has found himself in the unenviable position as MotoGP's most under-pressure rookie in 2022 having made the step directly from Moto3 with a reputation as an over-aggressive rider. This hasn't been an easy thing to shake at the start of the season, but he believes tangible progress is being made
How ‘Beast’ mode is putting Ducati in 2022 MotoGP title contention
Enea Bastianini’s second win of the 2022 campaign at COTA puts him back in the lead of the standings and once again showed the best Ducati package is still the 2021 bike. Those closest to Bastianini tell Motorsport.com why he’s so good on the GP21 relative to his factory counterparts.
How Espargaro helped Aprilia shed MotoGP's underdog tag
Aleix Espargaro became MotoGP's newest winner in a thrilling Argentina Grand Prix in which he also proved the merits of the Aprilia project. After six years of hard graft, both parties have reaped the rewards they have long thought they deserved. But it was several key moments in that journey that led both to that momentous Sunday at Termas de Rio Hondo.