MotoGP: Mechanics to wear helmets for flag-to-flag changes
From the 2017 season, MotoGP mechanics will be required to wear approved helmets during 🧸mid-race 'flag-to-🤪flag' bike changes.
Th🐽e use of helmets follows a scary incident for Alvaro Bauꩲtista in Argentina (see video below).
A further safety move will see a maximum of four mechanics allowed to assist each rider during the bike chaꦰnge.
what do you make of this pit stop th🌞en ? -- Carl hough (@Carl_Hough)
The Grand Prix Commission also confirmed that mechanics will be able to continue holding the clutch lever in, "to avoid the possibility of accidental engagement of a gear during the machine change...
"However, actual selection o♏f the gear can only be madღe by the rider. Breach of this regulation, which can be determined from ECU data, will result in automatic disqualification."
Questions were raised about one of Marc Marquez's Repsol Honda mechanics holding his clutch lever at the Sachsenring, but checks by Race Direction proved the Spaniard had put the bike💞 into gear himsel💧f - as required by the rules.
Race Director Mike Webb had considered banning mechanics from holding the clutch𝄹 lever, to make visibly clear when the bike is in neutral, but the safety angle means it will continue to be allow🌞ed.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Ross💙i come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Mar🧸c Marquez’s injury issues.
