How the new system works to monitor the pressure in the MotoGP front tire – These riders have already been warned or penalized
During the 2023 MotoGP season, an automated system was introduced to monitor the pressure in the front tire. The same sensors have been installed on all motorcycles since this year in order to obtain comparable data. This data is transmitted to the race management
When the bike is on the track, the team does not have the tire pressure data available. It is only sent to the race management in real time. This system is used to monitor that the teams do not fall below the specified minimum pressure in the front tire.
The guideline value specified by Michelin for the front tire is 1.88 bar. The new monitoring system was subjected to practical tests during the first half of the season. The system went live at the British Grand Prix.
However, only random checks were carried out at Silverstone and then at Spielberg and the system was subjected to further checks. At the beginning of September, the system was ready for practical use at the Catalan Grand Prix.
The manufacturers’ association MSMA agreed to approve the system from Barcelona onwards. At a Grand Prix, the minimum tire pressure specified by Michelin must be exceeded on 50 percent of the laps. In the sprint, it is 30 percent of the laps.
The monitoring system is only used in the two races, but not in practice or qualifying. If the system reports a rider who has remained below the minimum pressure too often, the officials will carry out a check.
The sensors on the motorcycle in question are checked manually to ensure that they are correctly calibrated and that the values match the data sent. If this is the case and the minimum pressure has not been reached, penalties will be imposed.
1st offense: Warning
2nd offense: 3 second time penalty
3rd offense: 6 seconds time penalty
4th offense: 12 second time penalty
Technical offenses are usually punished with a disqualification. As this system is new and was introduced during the season, the race stewards have agreed to this penalty catalog with increasing time penalties.
