MotoGP: Marc Marquez: I agree with the tyre pressure rule, it’s for safety

Marc Marquez voiced his support for MotoGP's new real-time tyre pressure monitoring system, which came into force at the recent Silverstone round.
Marc Marquez, British MotoGP 4 August
Marc Marquez, British MotoGP 4 August

Some riders have expressed concerns about the effect of higher starting pressures, needed to avoid the risk of being under the official limit for too long, should they become caught in hot꧒ and dirty ai🗹r behind another bike.

But Marquez backs the stricter new system, on safety grounds, whichܫ initially requires that a minimum of 1.88 bar (front) and 1.68 bar (rear) is achieved for at least 30% of a Sprint race and 50% of a Grand Prix distance.

"With the f🅘ront tyre, it's true I feel a difference if we go with a lot of pressure, a lot of locking. But I [also] don't like to have low pressure on the front," Marquez said.

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On the loss of front grip as pressure rises behind ♛💖other bikes, the eight-time world champion added:

“Yeah, but I won races in 2019 with 2.1 and 2.2 bar. The thing is we have the front tyre pressure on the da♛shboard, and if it's going over 2.1, you have an alarm, and you know you will 🎶have more locking.

“There are ma𓆏ny discussions [about the new real-time system] but in the end꧙, if the tyre manufacturer says it's for safety, we need to follow that rule. We need to forget a bit about the performance: If it's locking, brake a bit earlier, and then it will not lock.

“Of course, I'm one of these guys that wants performance on the bike, but if the tyre manufacturer says it's dangerous, the tyre can explode, we need to change somethi🎉ng. And I agree with the rule.”

Currently, any riders failing to meet the minimum pressure will receive a warning for their first offence𝓰 the🅠n time penalties of 3s, 6s and 12s for subsequent breaches.

Once teams have further experience with ‘real world’ tyre pressure variations, the penalties are set to be increased to disqualification from a race or c♐ancellation of a fast lap.

“It's true𝐆 that if a rider is disqualified, it's not the best for the championship but then the manufacturers will start to increase the pressures,” Marquez said.

The cool Silve🦩rstone weather and flowing nature of the British track meant rising tyre pressu🎉re was not a significant issue for most riders, although Johann Zarco did think it hindered his race.

However, this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, held at the s⛎top-go Red Bull Ring. Where temperatures are forecast to reach 30-💧degrees, could be a bigger test.

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