Rules Changes 

for the 2003 MotoGP season

 

The Grand Prix Commission unanimously decided to introduce the following modifications to the MotoGP World Championship Regulations. For immediate application:

 

1.27 Neutralisation of a Race (MotoGP only)

According to circumstances a MotoGP class race may be neutralised several times. If the Race Director decides to neutralise a race due to climatic conditions or some other reason then the following procedure will apply:
1. White flags with a diagonal red cross will be displayed motionless at each flag marshal post.
2. A safety car will leave the pit lane and make one lap. The pit lane exit will be closed with red lights and red flag.
3. Riders may enter the pit lane at the end of their current lap or make one more lap to check the conditions of the track and then enter the pit lane.
4. Riders who decide to make one more lap must prepare to catch up the safety car. Overtaking the safety car is forbidden.
5. At the end of his lap the safety car will enter the pit lane and the track will be closed with red flags. Riders following the safety car must enter the pit lane.

6. The safety car will stop approximately 50 metres beyond the exit of pit lane.
7. In the pit lane riders may change tyres, make adjustments to the motorcycle, refuel or change machine.
8. If the race is neutralised before the last lap, a provisional race classification will be published. The provisional race classification will be the results taken at the last point where the leader and all other riders on the same lap as the leader had completed a full lap without the neutralisation flags being displayed calculated as in the principle set out in article 1.25.1. Riders already in the pit lane can be classified. Riders who did not complete 75% of the laps completed by the leader will not be classified. The race will be resumed according to article 1.28.
9. In case of neutralisation during the last lap the following procedure will apply: if at least one rider has completed the scheduled number of laps of the original race, the race classification will be calculated as in the principle set out in the exception in article 1.25.1 and race will not be resumed; if no rider has completed the scheduled number of laps of the original race, the provision of article 1.27.8 will apply and the race will be resumed according to article 1.28.
10. In the case of more than one neutralisation the provisional race classification for positions and eligibility to take part in the resumed start will always be those based on the provisional race classification taken at the latest neutralisation.
11. In all cases the provisional race classification will be displayed on the official timekeeping monitors

1.28 Resuming a race that has been neutralised (MotoGP only) -

1. The Race Direction will announce when the Safety Car will leave the pit lane to resume the race.
2. The number of laps to go will be the difference between the scheduled number of laps of the original race and the number of laps of the provisional race classification. If the difference is less than 3 the number of laps to go will be 3 laps.
3. In the case of more than one neutralisation, the number of laps to go will be the difference between the scheduled number of laps of the original race and the number of laps completed in all the previous parts. If the difference is less than 3, the number of laps to go will be 3 laps.
4. Only riders included in the latest provisional race classification may resume the race.
5. 2 minutes before the Safety Car leaves the pit lane, the pit lane exit will be opened with green lights and flags to allow the riders to form up behind the safety car in the order of the provisional race classification.
6. 30 seconds before the Safety Car leaves the pit lane, all riders should be ready behind the safety car in the order of the provisional race classification.
7. At the time announced by the Race Direction, the pit lane exit will be closed with red flags and lights and the safety car will make one lap followed by the riders. Overtaking the safety car is forbidden. Any riders remaining in the pit lane will resume the race from the pit lane.
8. In all cases the time to go before the safety car departs and the pit lane exit closes will be displayed on a countdown board or clock at the pit lane exit and on the official timekeeping monitors.

9. At the end of his lap the safety car will enter the pit lane whilst the riders continue on the track.
10. The race will resume by rolling start when the riders cross the start line where two green flags (one at each side) will be waved and the green start lights will be switched on. At that time a time penalty may be imposed by the Race Direction on any rider:
* who is not behind the rear wheel of the motorcycle in front of him.
* who is in a higher position than in the provisional race classification.
* who is more than 3 seconds behind the rider in front of him.
11. After the last rider in the file has passed the pit lane exit the green lights will be switched on and the green flag will be waved to allow the riders who are still in the pit lane to resume the race.
12. The final race classification will be established according to the position and the consolidated number of laps of each rider at the time he crossed the finish line at the end of the race. Provisions of article 1.23.5. will apply.